AUSTIN, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 01/18/13 -- The LIVESTRONG Foundation issued the following statement in response to Lance Armstrong's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

"We at the LIVESTRONG Foundation are disappointed by the news that Lance Armstrong misled people during and after his cycling career, including us. Earlier this week, Lance apologized to our staff and we accepted his apology in order to move on and chart a strong, independent course. We look forward to devoting our full energy to our mission of helping people not only fight and survive cancer, but also thrive in life after cancer.

"Even in the wake of our disappointment, we also express our gratitude to Lance as a survivor for the drive, devotion and spirit he brought to serving cancer patients and the entire cancer community. Lance is no longer on the Foundation's board, but he is our founder and we will always be grateful to him for creating and helping to build a Foundation that has served millions struggling with cancer.

"The LIVESTRONG Foundation is one of the most highly-rated and effective cancer organizations in the United States. Our success has never been based on one person -- it's based on the patients and survivors we serve every day, who approach a cancer diagnosis with hope, courage and perseverance. We listened to their needs and took action to create free cancer support services that offer access to clinical trials, fertility preservation, insurance coverage and even transportation to treatment. People living with and through cancer are the inspiration behind our work. They have been, are and always will be our focus."

About the LIVESTRONG Foundation
The LIVESTRONG Foundation provides free cancer support services to help people cope with the financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany the disease. Created in 1997 by cancer survivor and philanthropist Lance Armstrong, the Foundation is known for its powerful brand -- LIVESTRONG -- and for its advocacy on behalf of survivors and their families. With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband, the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $500 million to support cancer survivors and served 2.5 million people affected by the disease. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.

Facts about the LIVESTRONG Foundation

• Raised more than $500 million to support cancer survivors and served 2.5 million people affected by cancer
• Sold and distributed more than 87 million yellow LIVESTRONG wristbands in partnership with Nike
• Invested 82 percent of each dollar raised directly in programs, initiatives and advocacy efforts that support people affected by cancer
• Recognized as one of the most highly-rated cancer non-profit organizations in the U.S.
  • Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity seal holder
  • Completed National Health Council's Standards of Excellence Certification Program
  • Rated four out of four stars by Charity Navigator
  • A- -rated by American Institute of Philanthropy
  • Ranked as one of the top three cancer organizations by Philanthropedia

2012 HIGHLIGHTS

• Raised $48 million to support programs that serve people affected by cancer through more than $23.4 million in contributions from more than 116,000 donors worldwide
• Supported more than 15,000 people affected by cancer in person, on the phone or online through free cancer support services, including financial assistance, emotional counseling, fertility preservation and treatment options
  • Saw an 11 percent increase in new client intake over 2011
  • Saved clients nearly $6 million in health care expenses
• Trained nearly 48,000 health care professionals on current cancer practices and trends
• Completed successful anti-stigma campaign, Comparte tu Historia, in Mexico garnering more than 120 million broadcast media impressions
• Expanded the "LIVESTRONG at the YMCA" program, which helps adult survivors of cancer transition into a healthy post-treatment life at 133 YMCA locations in 40 cities
• Developed new cause marketing partnerships with car2go, UMB/Visa, Facebook and FTD
• Invested $1.4 million to bring proven cancer support programs to 90 sites across the U.S. through the Community Impact Project
• Committed $500,000 to a three-year initiative with the Union for International Cancer Control to expand global access to essential medicines and technologies

2013 PREVIEW
The Foundation's 2013 budget is $38.4 million, a 10.9% reduction from 2012. The Foundation's overarching priorities for 2013 are strengthening current programs, expanding services and reaching more people, particularly in low-income and minority communities. Plans include:

• Expansion of free cancer support services to improve access to care for people in Travis County, Texas with a transportation program that provides free rides to and from cancer-related medical appointments
• Releasing results of the 2012 Cancer Survivor Survey on the needs of cancer patients and announcing how the Foundation will help get them the resources they need
• Focusing on how implementation of the Affordable Care Act will -- and should -- affect people impacted by cancer

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