Mine have been on backorder for awhile now... wearyellow.com
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my Tour de France 2004 list.
Posted on 07/27/2004 10:52:42 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952
Wristbands, which benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation, are hard to get these days
By Andrea Ball
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Looking for one of those nifty yellow wristbands from the Lance Armstrong Foundation?
Good luck. Those $1 plastic bracelets are becoming an endangered species in Austin's shops and grocery stores. The bands are so popular, they're even showing up for sale on eBay -- at a markup, of course.
"They're sold out all over town," said Adam Reiser, co-owner of John Cobb's Bicycle Sports. "It's crazy. It's like the Cabbage Patch dolls."
Earlier this year, Nike produced 5 million wristbands engraved with Armstrong's mantra -- "Live Strong" -- as a fund raiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. An additional 2 million wristbands have been made since then because of growing demand.
The nonprofit group raises money for programs for young people living with cancer.
Armstrong, who snagged his sixth Tour de France cycling victory Sunday, battled testicular, lung and brain cancer in the 1990s. The yellow bands offer support for the 10 million cancer survivors living in the United States.
More than 6 million wristbands have been sold since May through the charity's Web site and retailers across the country. Celebrities such as actor Matt Damon and tennis star Serena Williams have been seen wearing the bracelets. Presidential candidate John Kerry is also sporting one.
Foundation officials hope to make more than $7 million from the project. And judging by the huge call for those taxicab-colored wristbands, they may not be too far from their goal.
Chuy's Comida Deluxe -- the parent company of Chuy's restaurants -- sold out of its 12,700 bands at eight locations. RunTex sold 2,000 bands. And Bicycle Sport Shop sold 2,000 in one day.
Even the Lance Armstrong Foundation is struggling to keep up with the demand.
In the past week, the nonprofit ordered 1 million more bracelets from Nike. People who buy the wristbands online today will have them delivered in mid-August, said foundation spokeswoman Britney Puryear.
"The demand is just incredible right now," she said. "Retailers want them. People want them. It's unbelievable."
Some people have even started selling the coveted bands on eBay. On Monday, a 10-pack of the wristbands -- which would cost $10 in stores -- sold for $36.
Foundation officials have discouraged the eBay sales. In a memo posted on eBay, the nonprofit calls sales of the bands "highly discouraged and illegal." Such sales undermine Nike's effort and could jeopardize the foundation's tax-exempt status with the IRS, the memo states.
The group even frowns upon sellers promising to give the money to the foundation, said spokeswoman Michelle Milford.
"We have no processes in place to ensure that the sales of the yellow wristbands will be going to support our programs," she said.
Meanwhile, local dealers are restocking their shelves with the summer's must-have fashion accessory. Whole Foods is expecting a few thousands bands on Friday. And Bicycle Sport Shop will have another 2,000 at about noon on Thursday, said L.J. Miller, the store's assistant sales manager.
"If people want them, they'd better get down here early," he said.
On the wrong arm................
Whatever happened to the blue ribbons, pink ribbons, rainbow sashes, etc.?
This is what Kerry was wearing the other day.
I bet they would mention it also, if Pres Bush had one.
Odd. Mine says "Leave your wife for a skank".
I have mine. Right next to my stainless steel POW/MIA bracelet (which I have worn for 14 years now).
I've got mine. I'm a cancer survivor.
Yep. There is the photographic proof.
Why can't he wear it on whichever arm he chooses?
Well, that would fit in with his Flip Flopping
You're a bitter old man. Get over it.
This weekend I was proud to be a part of the 2004 Relay for Life in my city. (Walked six miles :-) Our Relay goal this year was $168,000; we raised $240,000.
It was beautiful to see hundreds of people - cancer survivors walking the first lap, then loved ones and friends continuing the Relay for 24 hours. There was food, games, and a good time. Some poignant moments too, remembering those who were not able to be saved, but an overall spirit of love and optimism.
Thanks. This December is 14 years.
A ton of people involved with the Tour de France were wearing them, including the OLN commentators, riders from Lance's team, other teams (honestly, I think nearly every other rider in the race was wearing one)...
And that makes sense. But when Kerry has one on, then its trendy. Kind of like how Al Gore listens to Sister Hazel. Those yellow bracelets are the WWJD bracelets of 2004. Good message, good cause, but eventually, everyone on earth wearing one is nearly the same thing as no one wearing one.
I bought mine in Paris on Sunday morning. They had (NIKE) people selling them all around town. Pretty cool.
I think it's great, altho actually wearing one . . . it's just not me.
Nike's involved? Count me out.
Mine have been on backorder for awhile now... wearyellow.com
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my Tour de France 2004 list.
A friend gave me one today. Guess where it's manufactured? Hint........a very large country in Asia.
got one. :-P
I'm wearing one right now. My best friend in Georgia sent me four. We both changed our lives to take care of our father's, each having a different kind of Cancer. I like the foundations's manifesto.
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