LiveStrong bracelets new trend

The trendiest bracelet of the summer can be seen worn on many.The bright-yellow rubber bracelet, which sells for $1, printed withfamous six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong’smantra, “LiveStrong,” lets supporters create afashionably loud statement in support of cancer research.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) in Austin hopes to raise $6million to benefit their programs that help young people withcancer to live strong.

In 1996, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer andunderwent two surgeries, one to remove his cancerous testicle andanother to remove two cancerous lesions on his brain.

“Yellow wakes me up in the morning,” Armstrong saidon the official WearYellow Web site, www.wearyellow.com.”Yellow gets me on the bike every day. Yellow has taught methe true meaning of sacrifice. Yellow makes me suffer. Yellow isthe reason I’m here.”

In collaboration with the LAF, Nike donated the first $1 millionto the foundation and sells the bands at all Nike stores and othersporting goods stores. Since the fund-raising started in May, ninemillion have been sold, nearly doubling Nike’s originalprojections, and only two million are left.

Many wear the bands to support Armstrong and his foundation, orto donate to a good cause, or because they themselves have had anexperience with cancer.

“I wear my Lance Armstrong bracelet in support of hisfoundation and for my grandfather who is currently undergoingtreatment for cancer,” said Lisa Carron, a senior real estatefinance major. “I believe that the yellow band hasrevolutionized the way we can show our support for acause.”

Lauren Cantalini, a senior Corporate Communications and PublicAffairs major, also believes in “LiveStrong”.”After noticing all the yellow on campus and finding out themeaning behind this bracelet, I was bound to find one and show mysupport,” she said.

Not only are SMU students sporting yellow, but many publicfigures as well. Matt Damon, Bono, Democratic nominee John Kerryand President Bush, and Armstrong’s girlfriend Sheryl Crow,all live strong.

However, some are trying to profit off of this symbol of life.Surf on to eBay and you will find the bracelet being sold for over$20.

The band screams ‘Ask me about this’, andconversations will spark between you and strangers aboutlife’s struggles and supporting an amazing cause.

Armstong’s motto “LiveStrong” helps us keepgoing when it gets tough, so go ahead wear yellow and livestrong.