( CNN ) -- In a sense , Fred Schuster has a permanent reminder of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong etched into his skin . But to the 48-year-old New Jersey resident , the Livestrong Foundation bracelet tattooed on his wrist is n't about Armstrong or his long-awaited admission to doping as a professional cyclist . It 's a symbol of his father 's struggle with cancer and the bond they shared , Schuster said . Moreover , any time he 's tempted to pick up a cigarette , the recovering smoker is reminded of why he stopped in the first place . `` My decision to get the tattoo had absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Armstrong , and subsequently , these revelations do nothing to diminish the meaning it has for me . The tattoo was and will always be a symbol of the love that my father and I shared , '' Schuster said in a CNN iReport . `` The effect he had on the foundation was huge , but they both should be able to stand on their own . The foundation should not be held accountable for his deception . '' Armstrong admitted this week in an interview with talk show host Oprah Winfrey that he used an array of performance-enhancing drugs to win seven Tour de France titles . He had denied the drug use for years , often angrily . The first of the two-part interview aired Thursday night . Others who have worn the yellow bracelet or supported the cancer charity that Armstrong started in 1997 say Livestrong is now bigger than him . As long as people like Schuster continue to view Livestrong as an entity separate from its fallen founder , the cancer charity will likely withstand whatever controversy befalls Armstrong , charity experts said . Opinion : A loss for Lance , a win for Oprah . `` The organization has done a lot to separate itself from Lance 's image over the years . As a result , many people identify it as a cancer organization , which is why it 's not already crumbling , '' said Stacy Palmer , editor of the The Chronicle of Philanthropy , a Washington-based news source for the nonprofit world . After all , this is n't the first time Armstrong has been mired in controversy in the past decade , and Livestrong is still around . Since 2004 , when doping allegations against Armstrong first came to light in a book by French sports journalist Pierre Ballester , the foundation has experienced steady year-to-year revenue growth , according to financial records , with the exception of a dip from 2005 to 2006 , the year Armstrong was cleared of allegations stemming from a 1999 drug test . Many nonprofits look up to Livestrong as a success model , especially for its social media campaigns , thanks in part to Armstrong 's hands-off leadership , Palmer said . He hired a staff of experienced fundraisers with a history of running charities and nonprofits , which can be unusual among celebrity-driven charities , she said . `` He 's allowed them to go ahead without micromanaging , which some celebrities have a hard time doing , '' she said . `` For foundations started by one person , It can be hard to get past the celebrity because that 's how they 've gotten so big . '' Livestrong has also built alliances with other organizations to fundraise and raise awareness around positive messaging , she said , which also makes it stand out from other cancer charities . In other words , If Livestrong was going to crumble under the mountain of scandals and deception now synonymous with Armstrong , it probably would have happened by now . That does n't mean the foundation wo n't face some fallout , but its overall future probably wo n't hinge on Armstrong , she said . His decision to step down as chairman and leave the board has helped distance Livestrong from the controversy and give the impression that the foundation is charting an independent course , Palmer said . `` It was one thing when there were a few weeks between him stepping down as chair but still remaining on the board that were questionable , '' she said . `` But now that he 's not on the board , it shows that ( the board ) is trying to become a new generation of the organization . '' Livestrong has indicated this would be part of its strategy going forward , regardless of what Armstrong revealed to Winfrey . Armstrong 's doping drugs . `` ... We are charting a strong , independent course forward that is focused on helping people overcome financial , emotional and physical challenges related to cancer , '' the Austin , Texas-based foundation said Thursday . `` Inspired by the people with cancer whom we serve , we feel confident and optimistic about the foundation 's future and welcome an end to speculation . '' That 's not to say the situation has n't provoked a crisis of faith among many Livestrong supporters , especially those who were inspired by Armstrong 's accomplishments as a cyclist and cancer survivor . Evan Andrew Del Colle Jr. admired Armstrong and everything he stood for , especially after reading his books , and started wearing the bracelets as soon as they came out in 2004 . The Livestrong slogan resonated with him after his grandfather and aunt died from cancer , and he decided to get a Livestrong tattoo when he was 20 because he could n't wear the yellow bracelets while playing college sports . `` Livestrong represents being able to conquer even the toughest of obstacles , including cancer , '' he said . Now , after all that has come out , the tattoo embarrasses him and he is torn over what to do . `` I still support the Livestrong cause and I am still in awe of what Lance Armstrong was able to do , doping or not , but both the foundation and Lance are now tainted , '' he said in a CNN iReport . `` It is incredible that he won seven Tours , but he cheated . It 's plain and simple . And the fact that after all the cancer he suffered from he would do unnatural things that could harm his body is just something I ca n't fathom . '' Why people cheat . Before he got his tattoo , Schuster started wearing the yellow bracelet in 2004 in an effort to scare himself out of smoking . Then , his father received an abrupt diagnosis of stomach cancer in 2005 . Schuster gave him his bracelet when he went into the hospital for surgery related to his stomach cancer . He never left . The day his father died in 2005 , Schuster held his hand and slipped the yellow Livestrong bracelet off his wrist and onto his . When the bracelet wore out a year later , he got it tattooed onto his wrist . The tattoo artist did n't think yellow would wear well and made it red instead , Schuster said , so people do n't immediately recognize it . He has no plans to get rid of it , given all that it means to him . As for his father , he had a dry sense of humor , he said . `` I would like to think he 's chuckling somewhere and smiling about the whole situation . '' Follow Emanuella Grinberg on Twitter . CNN 's Henry Hanks and Nicole Saidi contributed to this report .
Livestrong supporters say the Foundation has identity separate from disgraced cyclist . ` ` cyclist should not be held accountable for his deception , '' says man with Livestrong tattoo . Foundation has distanced itself from Armstrong and created its own identity , charity expert says . Many nonprofits look up to Armstrong as a success model , expert says .