| They are the hottest wearable right now, despite | | | | wristbands of all colors available -- blue, pink, |
| the fashion gurus adding the adjective 'once | | | | yellow, striped... The blue rubber wristband was |
| trendy' while referring to them. Yes we're talking | | | | launched by BBC Radio One, and has the words |
| about rubber wristbands. You can't escape them | | | | 'Beat Bullying' stamped on it. This wristband is |
| anymore. Be it evacuees at Gaza or NBA football | | | | highly popular among footballers. One of the most |
| stars, all are wearing these bands. Passing fad? | | | | popular rubber wristbands around is the 'Support |
| Don't know, but they are still selling like hot | | | | our troops' wristband worn by family members of |
| cakes.If you have just stepped out of a time | | | | American servicemen. They come in many colors. |
| machine and can't distinguish a rubber wristband | | | | The pink ones are about breast cancer |
| from a tennis wristband, read this: Rubber | | | | awareness.These wristbands are made of either |
| wristbands were popularised by famous cycling | | | | silicon or rubber. There are also paper and leather |
| champion Lance Armstrong who fought and | | | | wristbands, and ornamental bracelets.Wearing a |
| survived multiple cancers. Armstrong wore a | | | | wristband is a good way of announcing your |
| signature yellow rubber wristband during his | | | | support for any worthy cause. What's more, you |
| record sixth straight victory at the Tour de | | | | can have your own custom message stamped on |
| France in July.Armstrong was diagnosed with | | | | it. The beauty of rubber wristbands is that they |
| testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and | | | | can be worn in any situation.So what does the |
| brain when he was 25. He won the 1999 Tour de | | | | continuing popularity of the rubber wristbands |
| France and has won it six years in a row. The | | | | imply? That they are more than just an |
| 'Livestrong' rubber wristbands from the Lance | | | | accessory. They are about attitude, a reminder |
| Armstrong Foundation are a means to show | | | | about one of the numerous worthy causes that |
| support for those battling cancer. The sales of | | | | drive the human civilization forward. They are |
| these wristbands shot up when Oprah Winfrey | | | | about the human need to show solidarity to those |
| encouraged her viewers to order a bracelet when | | | | fighting against mighty odds.Yes, rubber |
| she had Armstrong as a guest on her show.The | | | | wristbands are a civilizational need in these |
| Live Strong rubber wristbands sell for $1 a piece. | | | | turbulent times. Let the fashion gurus call them a |
| And they are still selling at the rate of 200,000 | | | | passing fad, or whatever they like. But these |
| per day. The funds raised through selling them will | | | | rubber wristbands are here to stay.If you have a |
| support the Lance Armstrong Foundation's efforts | | | | worthy cause to support, show it by wearing a |
| to help young people with cancer and their family | | | | rubber wristband.Shannan Barrett is an avid |
| members to live strong.Today there are rubber | | | | reader and market researcher. |