Four Years

A lot can happen in four years. Think about it. The Olympics captivate us every four years. A United States President serves an entire term in office. The most watched sporting event in the world, the World Cup, comes and goes. An adolescent completes their high school education.

A lot can happen in four years.

I have been stuck thinking about this for the last two weeks. My mind has been focused on this time period because four years ago Nike pitched us an idea that has certainly come a long way. The idea was simple. They said, “how about we take one of our baller bands, make it yellow, and put LIVESTRONG on it. We will make 5 million of them and give them to you to sell for $1 each.”

Imagine minutes of silence. Keep imagining silence.

More silence.

We were silent because we didn’t know what we would do with 5 million yellow rubber wristbands. We thought we might sell 50,000 of them in a year or maybe 100,000 if we were lucky.

LIVESTRONG was just the name of a program at the foundation. We only really sold merchandise at our events. We couldn’t possible sell 5 million yellow wristbands.

We were wrong. Oh so wrong.

They started selling. And then we sold more, and more, and more. People connected with them. They wore them as Lance won his 6th tour. They wore them as their favorite Olympians competed that summer. Athletes from countries around the world wore them while winning medals and breaking records. Presidential candidates wore them that fall. Children wore them to honor a grandparent with cancer. Physicians put them on to provide hope to their patients.

And millions and millions more put them on to honor a friend who was valiantly battling this dreaded disease.

We sold a few million more. And then a few more.

Now, almost exactly four years later we have sold more than 60 million yellow wristbands. We have built a community. We have been inspired by millions who have shared their story.

In four years, an idea meant to honor an athlete and his cause turned into the most significant philanthropic phenomenon of our time.

Today, every cause has a wristband. They use them to raise much needed awareness and funds. They stand out as a symbol of their mission.

In essence, they show each of us that we can be active citizens, we can be proud of our life’s work, and each of us in our own very personal way can support the betterment of society. It is the essence of the word “community.” We are all part of something bigger. And we can band together to impact our world.

Now, four years later, we have embarked on a landmark relationship with our partners in the Northwest. The LIVESTRONG Collection from Nike sets a new standard. It raises the bar to a level never before seen.

Nike is providing 100% of their profits from the new collection to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Let me repeat that.

Nike is providing 100% of their profits from the new collection to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. 100%.

I love to study philanthropy and how various public private partnerships are structured.

I have never seen such a relationship. This is new territory. 100%.

For their support, their dedication, and their desire to change the world we are eternally grateful to our friends at Nike.

LIVESTRONG.