Highlighted Philanthropist
LANCE ARMSTRONG
Al Gore served as the Vice President of the United States, under President Bill Clinton. A Democrat from Tennessee, he has spent much of his life concerned with environmental issues, global climate change, and environmental policy.
TED TURNER
Ted Turner established the United Nations Foundation with a $1 billion pledge to benefit the United Nations. The goal is to promote world peace, prosperity, and justice.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
raised over $530,000 for Operation Family Fund, a not-for-profit philanthropy that supports foster children and the families of soldiers injured or killed in Iraq or Afghanistan as a result of the War on Terror.
Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong is a world renowned competitive cyclist, holding seven Tour de France titles. Born in Plano, Texas, Armstrong showed early promise, winning the Iron Kids Triathlon at age 13. At the height of his athletic abilities, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and it seemed as though his career was over, but Armstrong persevered through chemotherapy and went on to win his first Tour de France title in 1999.
- Armstrong developed the Livestrong wristband concept, helping to raise money for cancer research. Marketed with cooperation from Nike, the band became an extremely popular fashion accessory in 2004.
- Established the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a charitable organization, in 1997. The organization provides fundraising, cancer education, patient advocacy, and research.
- Through his charitable organizations and programs, Armstrong has helped raise $55 million for cancer survivors. The effectiveness of the Lance Armstrong Foundation has made Armstrong an international hero.