Controversy lever donations to the Lance Armstrong Foundation

The permanent suspension and withdrawal of the seven titles won in the Tour de France Doping Agency imposed by American (USADA) to former American cyclist Lance Armstrong for doping did not affect the popularity of the athlete and the support received by the foundation that bears his name and works in fight against cancer. Shortly after being informed of the decision taken by the USADA, Armstrong refused to rebut the charges before an arbitration committee. Sponsors have issued public statements in which not only claim to believe in the innocence of Armstrong, as well as follow the project with the support Livestrong. In addition, unsolicited donations received by the Lance Armstrong Foundation in promoting research and prevention against cancer increased significantly after the punishment against the cyclist becomes public. The CEO and main responsible for the Livestrong foundation, Doug Ulman, confirmed that unsolicited donations increased nearly 25 times in the last two days compared with those made on Thursday. Ulman explained that during Thursday's official page of the organization recorded a total of $ 3200 (about $ 6400) in donations, but between Friday and Saturday the figure was closer to $ 200,000 (about $ 405,000). Moreover, according to Ulman, the total number of donors has increased since Thursday night, when Armstrong decided not to proceed with his defense against accusations of doping. The foundation had registered 45 donors through the site before the ban, and now more than 500 gave money to the organization. Sales of goods - bracelets and bangles "Livestrong" - increased by almost three times, from $ $ 4000 raised on Thursday to more than $ 20 thousand at the end of Saturday. "We listen to our biggest supporters," said Ulman. "They are frustrated with the decision by USADA, but are relieved by the end of this issue and can now concentrate fully on the work we do," he added. Over the past 15 years, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised more than $ 500 million (about U.S. $ 1 billion), which transforms the organization founded by the athlete with the highest arrecadamento history.