The color yellow was definitely a big fashion hit this year, not in the form of yellow clothing or shoes, but rubbery plastic bracelets with the word "Live Strong" on them. Released by the Lance Armstrong Foundation on May 17 and funded by Nike, the one dollar profit from each bracelet goes to fund cancer research. The color yellow stands for courage. When they were first released, it was easy to find one, but now they are on sale on eBay for more than three times their original cost.
Athletes at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens helped to ignite the trend. Viewers watching the 4×100-meter relay could see American Justin Gatlin’s Live Strong band clearly as he passed the baton to running mate Coby Miller. Gold medalists from other countries, such as Russian Yuri Borzakovsky and Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj, were seen wearing them as they won the 800-meter and 1,500-meters runs, respectively.
Politicians have jumped on the bandwagon, as well. President Bush has one, according to the ABC news Web site. Senator John Kerry wore one when he accepted the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. John Kerry is a longtime cycling fan and, according to CNN’s Web site, had a cancerous prostate gland removed last year.
Other foundations have been selling jewelry to fund their research for years, such as the AIDS foundation and Breast Cancer Awareness, but their bracelets are not as common as the Live Strong bands. The fact that Live Strong bands are manufactured inexpensively and are being sold for only dollar each may be the reason why these bands are such a fashion staple. For just a dollar, anyone can make a statement while supporting a charitable cause.
De Anza College student Jack Tamayo said, "I got my bracelet in the summer time when my sister gave it to me and told me to wear it." While some students have been wearing them for months, more have been showing up on students’ wrists recently."I knew about the cause since the Summer Olympics when all the athletes were wearing them, but I didn’t start wearing mine until the beginning of October," said student Julia Bishop."They were hard to find because a lot of people wear them now," says Bishop.Many people want or have one now, but some question if everyone wearing them is aware of the meaning behind the Live Strong bands.Naaman said, "I think the bracelets are cool and go to a good cause, but I think it’s kind of stupid when people wear them just because everyone else is and they don’t even know the significance of it."
Some students think otherwise and say it doesn’t matter if people who wear them don’t know the history behind them, because they’re still paying for them."The bracelets are so cheap at just one dollar each, even if some people don’t know why they’re wearing them, the money they paid to buy them still goes to charity," says student Liv Reed.
Student Kristina Yuen has a different opinion. "It’s easy enough for someone to throw down a dollar for a trendy yellow bracelet, but how significant is that if they don’t know what kind of charity they’re supporting?"
Many can’t wait to get them straight from the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s Web site, http://www.laf.org, due to its three to four week backorder, but those ordering on eBay should be aware that the proceeds from an eBay purchase are unlikely to go to the charity. Most proceeds from Live Strong bracelets sold on auction sites such as eBay go to the sellers, and not the foundation itself.Of the potential irony of being both a smoker and Live Strong band wearer, student Josh Himmel says, "I wear a Live Strong band and I smoke, but other things like alcohol can cause cancer too."
According to its Web site, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, founded in 1997, advocates for cancer patients, supports cancer research, provides education services, and develops support programs for those living with cancer. The Lance Armstrong Foundation isn’t the only non-profit organization selling jelly bracelets to support its cause, but they have influenced charities and businesses to produce similarly styled bands. Here’s a rundown of what’s out there for you to wear:Breast Cancer AwarenessPrice: $6Colors: Pink or purple.Description: Looks exactly like Live Strong bracelets, except they’re imprinted with ‘4 THE FIGHT.’ For students on tight budgests, these are a practical alternative to the Breast Cancer Awareness’ Swarovski beaded bracelets. Until There’s A CurePrice: $10Colors: A different color for more than every day of the week. They come in fuchsia, black, purple and turquoise, to name a few.Description: Instead of a quote, they have a silver charm of the AIDS ribbon in the middle. Until There’s A Cure has also been selling copper, sterling silver and gold cuff bangles supporting the fight against AIDS since 1993.WWPMG, LLC FirmPrice: $2.50Colors: Any color imaginable – you request it, they’ll make it.Description: While not a charity, http://likelance.com allows businesses to make their very own version of jelly bands, and customize their colors and messages. For fundraising or just for marketing causes, this firm specializes in wholesale only.Nike Baller ID BandsPrice: Around $10, depending where you get themColors: Black, green, blue and more.Description: These don’t support a charity or foundation either, but Nike is the company who designed and launched Lance Armstrong’s Live Strong bands. These are similar in style, and different individual bands read, "Player," "Baller," "Team," and "Respect."