TYLER (KYTX) - Cancer patients and survivors are shocked by the latest move in the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, as the cyclist stepped down as head of his LIVESTRONG Foundation.
CBS 19's Jennifer Heathcock spoke with a cancer survivor who says he hopes the foundation can still move forward and help others.
Avid cyclist Robert Jones wasn't surprised by the by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's allegations against Lance Armstrong last week, but Armstrong stepping down Wednesday from LIVESTRONG stung.
"I got to experience first hand how helpful the LIVESTRONG Foundation is. I really hope that the foundation can survive and get past this episode," says Jones.
Jones is a testicular cancer survivor and sometimes rides with the Tyler Bike Club.
Where Armstrong is the talk of the group.
"I've always been a lance fan, I'll always be a lance fan. Don't necessarily personally like the guy," says Billy Hughes.
But it's a little different for James Motlagh who named his son after Armstrong.
"We all look up to lance and think he's a hero and at the same time very disappointed about what's transpired over the last few weeks," says Motlagh.
Armstrong never admitted to doping, but he did quit fighting the accusations.
In August Armstrong was stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles and banned from the sport. Today he stepped down from 15 years of work with the LIVESTRONG Foundation, where millions of cancer survivors and patients were helped, at the same time he was dropped by sponsors like Trek, Nike and many others.
Armstrong released a statement, passing the torch to Vice Chairman Jeff Garvey.
"My family and I have devoted our lives to the work of the foundation and that will not change. We plan to continue our service to the foundation and the cancer community."
Jones hopes Armstrong's withdraw won't impact other survivors.
"I would urge people to look at what LIVESTRONG does by itself," says Jones.
The American Cancer Society also released a statement saying:
"It is our hope that the organization will continue its important work. Reducing suffering and death from cancer is a moral imperative, and LIVESTRONG's contribution is sorely needed."
