© Ask the Fundraiser.com 2005
The awareness band concept began with Lance Armstrong, the American cyclist who was diagnosed with cancer in 1996, and only given a 50% chance of survival. Armstrong created the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer patients, and designed a yellow Livestrong wristband, the yellow for the Tour de France and "live strong", his motto.
Five million bands were initially made, to be sold at one dollar each with all proceeds going to the foundation. After Armstrong won his sixth Tour de France, the bands sold out within days. Millions more have been manufactured, and thousands of organizations have embraced the clever idea as an opportunity to promote awareness of their causes while raising money for their organizations.
Today it's possible to find bands ranging in all color combinations for all types of causes. The Susan G. Komen Foundation has created pink bands to raise awareness for breast cancer. The Fairfax County Virgina parks have created their own Preserve, Protect, Play bands. Orange and green bands represent leukemia. Purple bands represent lupus. And simply pick your school colors and contact your high school/college/university alumni association and odds are you'll find a band with a special message. So if you are looking for resources on how to create or purchase your own awareness bands, consider services like those offered at Reminder Bands and SayitBands and you can begin expressing yourself in days.
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