Gel Bracelet - Charity Awareness Wristbands

Charity Awareness Wristbands

The silicone wristband first became available in 2004 with the Livestrong yellow band which was set up by American cyclist Lance Armstrong to raise awareness of cancer.

Following the success of the livestrong campaign, silicone wristbands became available in a variety of colours representing different charities or campaigns. The most prominent wristbands are Make Poverty History (white), Yes Beat Liver Tumors(yellow and black), BBC's Beat Bullying (blue), Stand Up Speak Up (black and white), British Heart Foundation (red), kidney donation (green), breast cancer (light pink), Diabetes UK (pink), multiple sclerosis (orange), epilepsy (half blue, half red), Hurricane Katrina relief (ocean blue mixed with white), pancreatic cancer (purple), death with dignity (black with partially parodic inscription "DieStrong"), cystic fibrosis (purple or blue) and AIDS (red, made only in Africa). In general, the color of the band describes its cause, and the colors are often the same as the colors of awareness ribbons. In the UK, a wristband is available from the charity Help for Heroes bearing the colours of the 3 armed forces: Red (Army), Navy Blue (Royal Navy) and Sky Blue (Royal Air Force). Also Lady Gaga released wristbands for her Born This Way foundation.

The average price of the wristbands can be $1 or £1 and usually the majority of the money goes towards the charity involved. They are seen by young people as trendier than traditional charity pins which may explain their increase in popularity.