Fantastic
Still Living Strong
By: Spencer Tollefson
Tour de France winner for seven consecutive years, cancer survivor, and an athlete who has brought hope to millions across the world, Lance Armstrong has left an indelible mark on society. His story is the ultimate comeback story: he went from a poor cancer prognosis to winning the premiere-cycling event of the world in just a three-year span. Armstrong did not stop at only completing his remarkable health recovery; instead, he used his newfound platform to globally battle cancer. He turned a simple piece of yellow rubber etched with a few letters into a symbol of hope and perseverance for millions, and he successfully fought off drug allegations that threatened to topple all of his achievements. Armstrong's story has provided inspiration to every continent, raised awareness to a cause worth fighting, and influenced the way the countless lives affected by cancer think.
Cycling was never a popular sport for United States viewers. It wasn't, that is, until Lance Armstrong returned to the Tour de France after recovering from cancer. The American media grabbed onto the story and the public quickly followed suit. This man had made the complete turn around. Headed towards death by cancer like so many others before him, he could have simply tried to survive. However, he did more than survive; he defeated it and thrived. He reached peak physical fitness in an unbelievably small amount of time, and won an event in which most could not dream of competing. Lance's actions, perseverance, and determination brought about a new mindset for the fight against cancer. He was the catalyst that brought about hope to all the people affected by cancer. Instead of just being the centerpiece of a story that would fade from the news, he created a foundation, sold tens of millions of wristbands that became a worldwide fashion statement, and went on to become the greatest cyclist of all time. Lance changed the way people thought about cancer, about limitations, and about themselves.
As Armstrong's cycling career has begun to fade from the public eye, his effect on the masses has become easier to gauge. His story was doubtlessly amazing, and it will not be easy for others to duplicate it. However, the way he chose to utilize his own life as a vehicle to help others is truly a sign of leadership. Livestrong wristbands and the Lance Armstrong Foundation have raised enormous amounts of money for cancer patients and survivors. More recently, he has run the NYC and Boston marathons, again showing that he not only defeated his cancer, he destroyed it. Armstrong has provided support to those lives affected by cancer throughout the world. To cancer patients, to cancer survivors, to families, and to those with other illnesses, Armstrong has managed to give new life to the meaning of the phrase "anything is possible" – a feat only a true leader could accomplish.