WRIST SUPPORT Colored rubber bracelets embrace causes
Sunday, September 04, 2005
mlive.com
By Justin Schneider
jschneider@citpat.com — 768-4967
Wrists have been “talking” more than usual lately.
Ever since cyclist Lance Armstrong launched his “Livestrong” bracelets in an effort to raise money for cancer research, colored wristbands have been making numerous statements. Some have labeled them “idea bands” or “bracelets for a cause.”
Whatever you call them, the little rubber hoops have become a popular form of marketing lately.
“They’re really popular right now — everybody has them,” said Taylor Hunter, 13, at the Westwood Mall recently. “Red, orange, pink. I don’t know what they all stand for.”
Cancer-related causes have dominated the market. Currently, the American Cancer Society has at least six colored bracelets that apply to the many people affected by the disease.
ACS bands come in orange (anti-tobacco), dark blue (colon cancer awareness), purple (Relay for Life), pink (breast cancer research), white (in support of cancer survivors) and lime green (promoting the early detection of cancer in the Latin community).
And while noble causes have created the most popular bands, the trend is not off-limits to sports-team support, profiteers or a good joke.
Taylor, who attends Jackson Christian Middle School, wears a green “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” wristband that he picked up at an Irish festival in Columbus, Ohio.
“I’ve got a yellow ‘Livestrong’ bracelet at home,” said Taylor, 13. “But this was the lucky one today.
Armstrong, who retired from cycling last month after winning his seventh consecutive Tour de France, became a cancer research advocate while overcoming testicular cancer, which had spread to his brain and lungs. He created the Lance Armstrong Foundation (laf.org), which has used yellow silicone bracelets stamped “Livestrong” to raise millions of dollars for research.
The bands that started the trend are still available for $1 apiece in lots of 10, 100 or 1,200, contrary to popular opinion that they have become a collector’s item.
“There’s a perceived scarcity of the bracelet,” said Michelle Milford, spokeswoman for the Lance Armstrong Foundation; she added that there are plenty available to purchase through the foundation.
“If you buy a Livestrong wristband off eBay for $20, only the one dollar spent to originally purchase the wristband goes to charity. If you donate $20 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, all $20 goes to fighting cancer. And you get 20 wristbands.”
At least part of the appeal is affordability. “Livestrong” bracelets sold for $1 apiece all over the country — and who can’t afford $1 to support a good cause? Color bands also have a low-tech appeal: they are flexible, waterproof and easily replaceable. Also, colored bands make people feel good about themselves. They are easily identifiable from 50 yards away.
Boyer Fowler, 11, uses his wristbands to support his favorite athletic teams.
“One is for a college team, one is for a pro team and one is for ‘Support Our Troops,’” he said, referring to his green Michigan State University band, blue Detroit Lions band and white patriotic band.
Boyer said he also has a yellow “Livestrong” bracelet at home, along with a purple-and-white model in support of the American Cancer Society. He said most of the bands he wears are readily available in town — the Lions band came from J.C. Penney, the MSU model from Target and the “Support Our Troops” bracelet from a friend.
The “Support Our Troops” bracelet originally appeared in yellow, as a variation on the yellow ribbon idea. But other bracelets have supported patriotic causes, including the “Never Forget #40″ band, which honors former NFL player Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan after joining the military.
Web sites such as pinsource.com, havenhall.com and reminderband.com produced wristbands made of silicone and printed or molded with a customized message.
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