Armstrong vows to keep up cancer fight

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Lance Armstrong told supporters of his Texas cancer charity his mission to conquer the disease will go on despite the scandal over doping allegations.

Armstrong appeared in Austin at a gala for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and told the audience the mission is "bigger than me."

"We will go forward," said Armstrong, who created the foundation in 1997 during his own cancer battle. "There's 28 million people around the world who need us."

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France championships after a long battle over allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs. He stepped down as chairman of the foundation, but promised to remain active in its fundraising efforts.

E! Online said the guest list in Austin included actors Sean Penn, Ben Stiller and Robin Williams and singing star Norah Jones.