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FILE - This Aug. 24, 2009 file photo shows Lance Armstrong during the opening session of the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland. Armstrong said Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, he is stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting cha Peter Morrison, File, Associated Press
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Livestrong CEO and president Doug Ulman discusses the future of the organization, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Lance Armstrong stepped down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity on Wednesday. Jack Plunkett, Associated Press
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FILE - In this July 24, 2005 file photo, Lance Armstrong, of Austin, Texas, carries the United States flag and wears a jersey with Nike logos during a victory parade on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, after winning his seventh straight Tour de Franc Peter Dejong, File, Associated Press
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FILE - This Jan. 19, 2009 file photo shows Lance Armstrong speaking during the launch of the Livestrong Global Cancer campaign Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide, Australia. Armstrong said Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, he is stepping down as chairman of his Aman Sharma, File, Associated Press
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An autographed cycling jersey hangs in the offces of Livestrong, Lance Armstrong's cancer-fighting charity, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Armstrong stepped down as chairman of Livestrong on Wednesday. Jack Plunkett, Associated Press
By Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — Lance Armstrong says he's been through a "difficult couple of weeks" and urged supporters of his cancer-fighting charity to stand behind its mission.

Armstrong gave the welcoming remarks Friday night at the 15th anniversary celebration for Livestrong, the charity he founded in 1997.

He stepped down as chairman Wednesday in an effort to ward off damage caused by doping charges against him.

The event drew 1,700 supporters, cancer survivors and Armstrong friends, and they gace him a standing ovation before he spoke.

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Armstrong, who denies using performance enhancing drugs during to win the Tour de France seven times, did not address doping evidence presented last week by the U.S. Anti-Dopi Agency.

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