General Cycling Discussion - LIVESTRONG Bracelets - In or Out

It's been several years (and millions upon millions of dollars later) since the yellow LIVESTRONG bracelets first made their appearance. Some wear/wore the bracelet because it was the new cool fashion accessory (that and Lance was tearing it up in France year after year). But others wear/wore it in order to...well, give them strength to live another day and survive cancer. So, on the one hand, it could be argued that the silicone bracelets were simply a fashion fad that arguably has now passed, but on the other hand, it could be said that it's a physical reminder and source of encouragement for those who are fighting against cancer or have suffered the loss of a friend or family to cancer.

So, on the whole then...are LIVESTRONG bracelets still wearable these days? What if I have no connections whatsoever to the cause of the Lance Armstrong Foundation? What if I am a passive supporter and a cyclist, but not an active contributor to the LAF and don't know of anyone personally who has suffered from cancer? What if I'm a cancer survivor?

Those who bought a bracelet as a fashion accessory still contributed money to the fight against cancer. That's why these bracelets were brilliant from a marketing standpoint. They're simple, cheap and became cool. I read someplace that from a fund-raising standpoint the overwhelming success of the bracelets was a complete surprise. Some marketing and fund-raising professionals thought that a $1 trinket could never bring in "real" money.

So if you (that's the general "you", not necessarily the OP) bought the bracelet to be fashionable, thank you for contributing to the fight against cancer. I couldn't tell you if they are "in" anymore, but your dollar has already gone to helping others to live better and longer lives so I don't care.

If you bought the bracelet because it is something you strongly believe in, then keep wearing it.

I still wear one and don't really care if it is 'in' or not. I've lost loved ones to cancer & had a minor brush with it myself.

I prefer to think that those who still wear one still care.

my flag, that I choose to fly, are my tracks from my bike, in puddles, sand or snow.
that is all anyone else needs to know about me

Wear 'em if you want. Anybody who would judge the band on it's fashion merits (i.e. "in" or "out") doesn't really understand what the band is about. It's not a fashion accessory - it's significance goes much deeper than that.

I bought a few bands several years back but no longer wear them. I just don't like to have unnecessary things around my wrist. But I see people who still wear them. And anyone who would negatively judge someone who still wears the band as "unfashionable" really needs to gain a new perspective on life.

At this point, if you have to ask...

For me it was never about fashion, it was about the cause. And it is still about the cause, so yes i still wear mine.

They are too small for my wrists, so I have never worn them. A couple of my bikes do wear them. I put them on when I remove the stem.

I did it to a bike I donated to the Salvation Army, and saw it around town a few times with the band still there.

I don't know what the total is now but, as of about a year ago, $70,000,000.00 had been raised from the sale of the wristbands. That's a significant piece of change. The money raised to fight cancer by the Lance Armstrong Foundation will make a difference in the future. They were there for me when I was diagnosed in June, 2006 and I will continue to wear a wristband all the time.

I still wear one and don't really care if it is 'in' or not. I've lost loved ones to cancer & had a minor brush with it myself.

I prefer to think that those who still wear one still care.

Well said; don't take it off 'tll there's a cure!

I don't like wearing stuff like that but you could do far worse with your money

Reason I was asking was because the one I've had one one for some time now - I have had family members both lose to cancer and survive cancer - and it had gotten stretched out and beaten up. So, I figured to get a new one, but wondered, do I "have to wear" a bracelet to show my support? Probably not, nor would my support be contingent on other peoples' recognition. (I have to admit, the fashion thought did also cross my mind...I work in an office environment with a lot of suits...would meeting big wigs while sporting a silicone bracelet that is argubly out-of-fashion come across the wrong way?) But visible support and the ensuing opportunities to tell my stories does have a purpose, and maybe a worthy one at that. So, I think Stevesurf's response is simple enough - wear it till a cure can be found. Do it for myself, those who the bracelet stand for, and the cause behind it.

I loved it when Rush Limbaugh had his TV show, as a comment on everyone wearing ribbons of various colors for almost every cause under the sun...

He started wearing a dollar bill folded into the shape of a ribbon and proclaimed that everyone who didn't wear one didn't care about the economy.

I think the object is to care... If you wish to show that you care in order to help someone else become aware of the cause, then wonderful! However, I don't think you need to wear a specific item to show you care about anything. It is what is inside that counts.

My wife is a Cancer Survivor. It's not about fashion for me ;)

I loved it when Rush Limbaugh had his TV show, as a comment on everyone wearing ribbons of various colors for almost every cause under the sun...

He started wearing a dollar bill folded into the shape of a ribbon and proclaimed that everyone who didn't wear one didn't care about the economy.

I think the object is to care... If you wish to show that you care in order to help someone else become aware of the cause, then wonderful! However, I don't think you need to wear a specific item to show you care about anything. It is what is inside that counts.

I think that was to show that he would do anything for money. :D

I wear it to show support to anyone who has had to deal with Cancer and will continue to wear it.

When you get a wheelset built, put one of the bracelets on the hub.

I could care a less about fashion. My bike wears one:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j12/DieselDan_1973/2007finalupgrades.jpg

There are different ways to help people who are afflicted with cancer. Some for research, some for social-psycho services, some economic. The Armstrong thing is just one, a very small 1.

In style or not doesn't matter to me. I survived cancer so other peoples opinions mean very little to me. I wear the bracelet when I ride and it gives me strength and I believe that I am riding for those that can't. When I want to stop because I am hurting I look at the bracelet and continue to push harder.
Those that wear the bracelet simply because it is in style and have no idea of the meaning behind it are nothing more then followers.

My mother passed away due to issues related to pancreatic cancer. It is not a fashion accessory for me and I've only had it has only come off once.

I don't wear the bracelets for various reasons. I support many charities and causes, and could care less about advertising the fact. The bracelets were an awesome marketing idea and did raise millions of dollars for a great cause. At one point it was a fashion fad and widely copied. I think it comes down to personal preference, wear one if you want, hang it on your bike or whatever. But keep up the donations to the good causes.

Aaron:)

It started out as an idea.

It became fashion.

It is no longer fashion, and stands alone as a message.

For those who have died, for those who are still fighting it, and for those to get it, we need a solution. In memory of those who have paid the price.

I still wear one and don't really care if it is 'in' or not. I've lost loved ones to cancer & had a minor brush with it myself.

I prefer to think that those who still wear one still care.

Same here. I have to locate another one because I just broke the last bracelet.

I have 2 left. PM me an address and I will mail one to you.

I wore one for several years while a co-worker battled and succumbed to cancer. I had to stop wearing it when I began working around machine tools (snagging hazard).




Same here. I have to locate another one because I just broke the last bracelet.

http://www.store-laf.org/wristbands.html

You'll make a contribution and have a bunch to give away.

I bought the bracelets because I wanted to help support cancer research. I still wear mine. The only time I don't wear it is when I am officiating games.

I still wear one and don't really care if it is 'in' or not. I've lost loved ones to cancer & had a minor brush with it myself.

I prefer to think that those who still wear one still care.


Ditto for me!

I have been wearing one for almost 3 years now. Great grandmother and Grandmother both died of cancer, Thats all I need.

besides, since I bought 10 (and handed them out to family/friends), I donated $10 to the cancer fund. Gf bought me a Livestrong workout shirt for my bday this summer as well, Nike brand, really nice :) I use it for our bike trips together!

Its not about "fashion" for me...

http://store.theonion.com/cheat-to-win-bracelet-p-57.html

For me it was never about fashion, it was about the cause. And it is still about the cause, so yes i still wear mine.

+1

There's certainly no reason that anyone has to wear one, whether to show support for the cause or otherwise, but as a cyclist and as someone who has lost an awful lot of people close to me to cancer, it's a good fit. I'm sure that's true for a lot of folks who continue to wear them even though they're (apparently) no longer fashionable. When I put it on every morning, it's simply a reminder to myself that there's work left to be done. If other people see me wearing it, hopefully they'll remember that as well.

Funny that this should come up now. After thinking about doing it for years, I just pick up my first at the ToC - Santa Rosa yesterday. My wife and I had this very conversation and ultimately, I wear it to honor 3 people in my life who have fought this fight. Two made it, one didn't. Screw fashion, it ain't about that.

I initially wore one to show my support for Lance in his numerous quests for the Maillot Jaune, not so much for cancer research. I gave my original one away to a coworker/cancer survivor. I replaced that one and wore it until it broke several years later. I have not worn one since then. I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer about a year ago and thanks to this thread I think I'll pick up another one and wear it in his honor. Someone had suggested placing one on a hub during wheel buildup...great idea!

Scott

I have prostate cancer. I wear mine every day. Works for me

I still wear one and don't really care if it is 'in' or not. I've lost loved ones to cancer & had a minor brush with it myself.

I prefer to think that those who still wear one still care.

This, I haven't taken mine off for two years.

I have prostate cancer. I wear mine every day. Works for me

Hello thetick1081, I hope your cancer is under control? Welcome to BikeForums....

I don't think there are many of us out there who worry about whether or not it's fashionable--it's a reminder of people we know and love, who may or may not be with us still.

East Hill

At this point, if you have to ask...


+1

In. And I just broke it! :cry: Guess I'll have to buy another one. I've worn them since I bought it maybe@3 yrs ago? Wear it for my friends who are fighting their illnesses.

I continue to wear the wristband and so do a couple of my bikes (on the seatpost) because 1) a cure hasn't yet been found, 2) I'm a cyclist. When I see others wearing it, I know they are likely cyclists and support cancer research. BTW, each Christmas in lieu of giving gifts to friends and family, I donate to charities with most going to cancer research. I encourage others to do the same.

I lost a parent to cancer. I'm considering buying the black jersey and matching shorts and socks from the site. I think they're sexy, and I'm due for a new outfit. My last ones were bought about 20 yars ago.. haha

but man.. $140 for the set.. big bucks. I remember when a Jersey was $20

I'm going to buy a few for wheel builds, I have never bought one, though I should have. Like everyone I have lost loved ones, several family members and my best friend to the disease.

I've had one on my wrist for about 3 years...Just never thought about taking it off...