In 2004, Lance Armstrong began selling yellow cancer bracelets with the word Livestrong on them. Ever since this campaign began, the selling of custom wristbands has become main stream and nearly everyone has at least one. There are some for diseases, which when sold, proceeds are donated to research for a cure of the disease. Another type of band is the inspirational type. These bands usually have words of encouragement on them. Finally, the last type of band is one that just raises awareness of a global cause. Some of the recent global causes that have these bracelets are the fight against global poverty, the fight against AIDS, and the battle against racism.
The kind of bracelet that supports research for a disease has probably been the most popular over recent years. Many companies use these bands to help boost donations for the cause by selling cheap bands. Usually companies also partner with celebrities, athletes, or other prominent companies to encourage awareness of the disease and the sale of the bands. With the money from the sale of these bands, research has been able to expand and hopefully scientists are coming to closer to a cure for one of the diseases represented by each wristlet.
Inspirational rubber bands have become popular only in the past few years. Some say "Hope," "Love," or "Courage" on them. These types come in all different colors and have hundreds of different words. Some are even multi-colored. These bands are used to help people feel better about themselves or to give them a reminder of their strengths or weaknesses. Some people like to look down at their wrist and have a reminder what qualities they need.
The type of silicone wristlet that is meant to help raise awareness of a global cause usually comes in the color that is associated with the cause. For example, there are red bands that accompany the cause to fight AIDS. There is also a white band that goes along with campaign to help fight global poverty and AIDs. The main goal of this type of band is to increase notoriety for the global cause. The theory with having the goal of awareness is that the more people know about it, the more donations will come in to the foundation later and this has theory has proven right. Ever since these organizations began marketing wristlets with their cause, donations have gone through the roof.
The reason these bands have been used so much by all different types of non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations is that these bands are an easy way to encourage donations or make money, respectively. Also, these bands help to raise awareness for the cause or the company. The bands are usually made with the same color that represents the campaign or organization so people learn to associate certain colors with certain causes or certain companies. Wristlets are a great marketing tool for all types of organizations and it will be interesting to see what other types of groups will begin using them in the future.
Connor Sullivan purchased a case of custom wristbands for his basketball team to sell as a fund raiser. Connor Sullivan has noticed that wearing cancer bracelets makes people feel as though they are a part of an important group.
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