AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- It has been as big year for cyclist Lance Armstrong but maybe an even better year for his cancer foundation.
Armstrong captured a record sixth Tour de France victory with more endorsement deals and an enhanced celebrity status.
His cancer foundation, however, is on track to raise about $45 million, an increase of almost 400 percent over 2003, the Austin American-Statesman said Thursday.
The total includes $900,000 Congress approved last month for "cancer survivorship" initiatives, evidence of the foundation's new lobbying muscle on Capitol Hill.
The foundation will apply much of the windfall to programs and services for the 10 million living Americans who have had cancer.
Most of the fund-raising windfall came from the sale of the yellow rubber wristbands emblazoned with the foundation's "LiveStrong" motto. The foundation has sold nearly 30 million at $1 each.
But more traditional fund raising also blew past what foundation officials expected.
