‘Live Strong’ bracelets prove more than fad
10/21/2004 Kelly Bothum The Patriot News Sean O'Donnell wears his yellow wristband in remembrance of three grandparents who died of cancer. Katie Knoble gave away 20 bracelets for her family and friends to wear as a sign of support for her grandfather battling prostate cancer. Vince Mascoli feels an added surge of inspiration running cross country while wearing the strip of yellow on his right wrist. Three reasons, one bracelet, one message. Live Strong. With a simple message, cheap price and word-of-mouth appeal, the wristbands have become a fashion must-have in high school classrooms and on college campuses nationwide. Those who wear the bands -- the same color as the jersey worn by Tour de France bicycle race champion Lance Armstrong and imprinted with "Live Strong" -- say it's much more than a trend. "People don't have to go to a lot of trouble to wear one, but it shows support," said Nick Albert, a senior at Central Dauphin High School, where the popular yellow bands can be spotted on the wrists of freshmen and seniors alike. The wristbands have popped up on the wrists of actors, athletes and ordinary folk since May, when the Lance Armstrong Foundation introduced them to raise money for cancer research, support and education. Armstrong, who won a record sixth Tour de France this summer, is a seven-year survivor of testicular cancer. More than 17 million wristbands have been sold, and the demand shows little sign of slowing. Most stores reported selling out during the [...]