LIVESTRONG Charity CEO Resigns

The Chief Executive of the cancer charity LIVESTRONG, founded by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, has resigned after 14 years at the helm of the controversial organisation.

The $US500 million global charity brand fell from grace after founder Lance Armstrong's confession that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career.

CEO Doug Ulman helped achieve Livestrong’s worldwide expansion and guided it through the two-year fallout of Armstrong's revelations of cheating that prompted corporate sponsors and private donors to walk away.

Ulman said in a website statement that after 14 years with LIVESTRONG, he was embracing a new set of opportunities that would allow him to continue his service to the cancer community.

Ulman said he would be relocating to Columbus, Ohio, at the end of the year where he would be the CEO of Pelotonia, a movement that has raised $80 million for cancer research in just six years.

“In addition, I will be an advisor to The Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, known as ‘The James’. I also look forward to becoming part of the vibrant business community in Columbus in multiple capacities,” Ulman said.

He said he was very proud and thankful for the progress LIVESTRONG achieved, advancing the fight against cancer and embracing a mission of service to survivors, their families and friends.

He said the organisations partnership with The University of Texas Dell Medical School establishing the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes is a game changer for the Foundation and for the way we serve cancer patients.

“For the past two years I’ve been devoted to making the dream of the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes a reality,” he said.

“The day we announced the launch of the Institutes was one of the proudest of my professional life.”

In October 2012, Fallen cycling champion Lance Armstrong, the founder and chairman of cancer-fighting Not for Profit LIVESTRONG, stood down as chairman of the organisation’s board of directors.

Armstrong said at the time: “In order to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship."

However Armstrong said he and his family would continue to support the work of the Foundation.

Ulman referred to the drug revelations around Lance Armstrong saying “Some of the moments that remain the most precious to me happened during the Foundation’s toughest days when we found ourselves a reluctant part of a global dialogue that had little to do with our day-to-day mission”.

“During those exhausting and anxious days, we were the recipients of friendship, grace and support that we never expected. I believe it changed all of us profoundly and brought us closer together.”