Livestrong Foundation charts post-Armstrong course

: Livestrong Foundation’s executive vice president Andy Miller speaks at its annual meeting Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Chicago. Leaders of the cancer charity founded by Lance Armstrong said at the first such gathering since Armstrong was engulfed in scandal that the organization will persevere in the wake of the cyclist’s admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

CHICAGO — The cancer charity founded by Lance Armstrong is changing its annual day of action as a step toward charting its own course without its founder.

The Livestrong Foundation made the announcement Thursday in Chicago at its first annual meeting since the cyclist’s admission he used performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong stepped down as chairman in October, saying he didn’t want his association with the foundation to damage it.

The group’s day of action had been Oct. 2, the date in 1996 that Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer.

It’ll now be May 17. That’s the day 2004 that charity launched its trademark yellow Livestrong bands. About 87 million have been sold.

Livestrong’s leaders acknowledged they’ll face new challenges thanks to Armstrong’s fall from grace. But they insist the group will survive.