STAYING STRONG: Iowans React To Decision

Lance Armstrong’s decision to quit his fight against allegations of performance enhancing drugs led the US Anti-Doping Agency to strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and banned him from competitive sports for life.

Bill Throckmorton is a cancer survivor, and said he doesn’t judge the man who motivated him through his fight. In fact, Throckmorton argued that Armstrong’s recent decision to stop fighting doping allegations could turn into a winning situation for the Des Moines Live strong Organization, “Team Yellow Foundation” of which he is president.

“If anything I think it will accelerate the commitment of people involved with the foundation. I think you’ll see probably more events than ever that the foundation is behind. Plus I think you’ll see more of lance out and being part of those events,” said Throckmorton.

Some, however, say they’d be surprised to see any repercussions on the foundation.

“Our program here is bigger than any one individual,” said Vernon Delpesce, the President of the YMCA.

The “Live Strong at the YMCA” program supports cancer survivors and offers classes and tools to help them physically, mentally and spiritually through their fight.  Delpesce said they have had over 900 cancer survivors come through the program and they continue to get referrals every day.