Yellow. Rubber. Made in China. While this description may describe many items, the yellow item of choice that is currently on many Penn students' minds -- and wrists -- is the Live Strong bracelet.
""Live Strong' is just a great phrase to live by," Wharton junior Matt Herrington says. Lance Armstrong "overcame cancer by "Live Strong' and it's just a daily reminder that you can overcome the greatest of adversities."
Since May 17, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has been selling these popular $1 plastic bracelets in an effort to raise money for cancer research. Armstrong, a world-class cyclist, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 and has since become a strong advocate of cancer research. The creation of Live Strong bracelets is his newest endeavor.
The popularity of such bracelets was unexpected. Currently, Live Strong bracelets are on back order all over the country.
Since May, the LAF has sold over 11 million wristbands. The day Armstrong won the Tour de France marked the biggest sale day ever, during which 214,000 wristbands were sold worldwide.
Along with athletes, celebrities and everyday people, Penn students represent Live Strong supporters.
"I wear it," says Engineering sophomore Mike Persson, "to remember an uncle of mine who died of cancer [and] because Lance is the man."
Still other students were inspired by Armstrong's recent publications and felt an indirect connection to cancer research.
"I read a Lance Armstrong book and liked it," Engineering sophomore Samantha Durante says. After reading the book, Durante purchased a Live Strong bracelet.
Due to both the trendiness and strong meaning behind the bracelets, many Penn students who don't have their own are clamoring to buy one.
Engineering senior Sam Starr wants a bracelet "because [he] supports the cause, and [because of] the inspiration Lance Armstrong gives to people who are diagnosed with cancer."
College junior Becca Aronson also hopes to get her hands on a yellow wristband. "It was really cool to see the bracelets on all the athletes at the summer Olympic games and even the non-American athletes."
She adds that although she was sad Niketown was sold out of the bracelets, she "was happy that people were so willing to support such a wonderful cause."
With the popularity of Live Strong, the over 500,000 people expected to die from cancer this year may be able to receive the treatment necessary to prolong and improve their lives.
Unfortunately, with the increased popularity of the bracelets as a style accessory, the meaning behind the yellow bands has been lost by some. Recent studies have shown that people are buying these bracelets simply to join the crowd and their favorite celebrities.
Currently, students can buy Live Strong bracelets on eBay for over $30. The money made from these purchases does not go to the LAF, but instead to the individual eBay sellers.
The official Web site for LAF warns people to "buy your wristband on our Web site instead of an auction Web site ... the extra cost will not benefit the LAF. ... Make sure the money helps people living with cancer."
Despite this division on the meaning of Live Strong, it appears as if the yellow plastic bracelets are slowly uniting the country. Republicans and Democrats alike sport the yellow wristbands. Jay Leno handed them out to his studio audience, and Penn students have used them as a chance to meet new friends and discuss crucial health issues.
Some wristbands have even been passed down from one friend or family member to another to symbolize a connection to one's family and the cancer cause.
"My girlfriend's mother took the bracelet from her cousin," College sophomore Adam Weiss says. "Then I took the bracelet from my girlfriend."
Within the past five months, millions of dollars have been raised to support cancer research. Americans and non-Americans alike have sported the yellow bracelets, and ultimately the phrase "Live Strong" has become a part of students' vernacular.
