I wear mine for the same reason – to remind myself to live strong. Mostly just during races and long training rides/runs, so I can look at it when I’m grinding up a monster hill and think, “This is nothing compared to what HE puts himself through in training”. It seems like they were originally mostly worn by athletes, as a kind of statement that you belong to this “club” of cyclists/triathletes/whatever; but I think the other component of it was an implicit support of Lance himself – I think people who wear these bands are saying, “I don’t think he’s doping”.
That may be hopelessly naive (I’m sure y’all will let me know) but I really want him to be clean. So I’ll keep mine on.
I lost mine while changing in my van for a bike race a month or so ago. Kind of bummed about that, second one I had lost. The other went flying during my run one night and I couldnot find it the next night.
I had bought 20 and sold a couple on ebay to pay for one for my daughter and the rest I gave away. Now I have none
I would take it off to ride my bike, I caught my house keys on it while reaching in my jersey pocket one day
First I have to say that I am a survivor of childhood cancer. From 7 to 12 I had Burkitt’s Lymphoma and then relapsed with Leukemia. While I had several Livestrong bands that I gave out to friends who promised to further donate money to charitable cancer causes (I’m sure some did not), I even wore a band myself for about 3 months. Eventually I got tired of how EVERYONE had one of these things and it meant nothing to them. So mine came off and in it’s place I put another band. Yes, I am aware these other ones are merely a “spin-off” that are trying to make money off the Livestrong success, the one I wear is in camo and says: FREEDOM. I am also a soldier who just got back from Iraq. I have many friends who were over there, are over there, and are going over there soon (including my two younger brothers). No matter how you feel about the war, your freedom is something that is the result of many brave men and women who have defended this country while those who don’t know the first thing about serving their country complain about it. Enjoy your freedom and if you wish to get one of these FREEDOM bands where the profits go to support programs for the families of people in the military, go to: http://bandsforfreedom.com
“If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.”
While walking thru McCarren and DIA on Saturday while wearing my LiveSTRONG t-shirt, I was stopped by no fewer than 5 people to ask me where i got the shirt, to talk about Lance, and to talk about cancer. Five people I didn’t know, and will never see again. I spoke briefly with each, about something that affects us all: cancer (how it took my mother too soon, and now threatens my step-mom; how it touched or touches their life).
On Monday, I walked thru the same airports, this time wearing a dress shirt and tie. I spoke to no one, and no one spoke to me.
No t-shirt. No LiveSTRONG. (I don’t wear the bracelet, it hangs from the mirror of my Xterra, more as a reminder to me than a message to others.)
I can’t help responding, though, that there are many ways to serve one’s country besides toting a rifle. I resent the implication that the only way to serve one’s country is to go and kill people in other lands, especially in a place like Iraq where no one directly threatened the US. When is the last time the US used its military in true self-defense?
I use mine as a reminder to race hard. It’s almost more a of a good luck charm now as I have always had a good race when I wear mine. Sad I know but any edge is an edge…
I never bought a Livestrong one, but I’ve been wearing my POW-MIA for almost 20 years now. I’ll never stop wearing it, unless they bring his reamins home.
A month or so ago, my wife asked me, “How long are you gonna wear that???” (not to be mean or anything, just curious)
I said, “Until Lance comes to my house and tells me I can take it off, if I want to.”
On another point: I remember the copper POW/MIA bracelets. My Dad got one, in like '73 or '74. The guy whose name was on it never came back. Dad still has it. It remains the only thing he’s ever stuck with.
I can’t help responding, though, that there are many ways to serve one’s country besides toting a rifle.
Mookie1986 - That was a low blow.
Quentin, not everyone feels this way. On behalf of my family and friends, I would like to thank you and your brothers for putting your lives on the line and protecting America and the rest of the world. And it should be understood that not everyone is on the frontline “killing people in other lands”. All of the support people, while not “toting a rifle” also have very important jobs too. So thanks again.
I sincerely apologize if you thought I implied anything of that sort. My comment about the armed forces protecting this country was not for the Iraq War, but for all the wars this country has fought since it’s founding. Secondly, I definitely did not imply:
“that the only way to serve one’s country is to go and kill people in other lands”
As a citizen of this great country, I only wish everyone gave back something. This could be done many different ways. Infact, a sister of mine is a volunteer firefighter, several of my friends volunteer a lot of their time to their churches, my mom volunteered a lot of time while I was growing up to a homeless shelter. Donating money to cancer causes is yet another way. My point was simply that I have a reason that means a lot to me for wearing the band that I do. I only wish everyone could say the same instead of wearing some yellow band because they think it makes them hip or fashionable. To those who truly bought their bands with their money going to the cause and wear it for a reason that means something to them, thanks.
Quentin
P.S. The yellow ribbon on my car says “Pray for our soldiers.” Again, no matter how you feel about the war, you can always pray for the lives of our soldiers and the strength of their families.
Hook’em, thanks for understanding the intent behind what I was writing, even if I was not as clear as I should have been.
“If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.”
No. Thank You Quentin! It is you that has served our country not I. Having worked for several years in the Middle East and having lived in a third world country before really make me appreciate the good old US of A!. Hell, I’m even glad Mookie1986 has the personal freedom to say the things he said.
I think you have to live in another country before you can really appreciate how good us Americans have it. Frankly, we’re spoiled. And I am sure a lot of our friends on this board would agree but are too polite to tell us how lucky and spoiled we really are.
Tell me about the Picture. The skinsuit looks like USMC colors???
I totally agree with everything you say. At the sametime, I just try not to start up any political-bashing on this site…lol.
Anyway, the picture is me in my next to last cycling race in the fall of 2003. I do both triathlon and cycling. The jersey and shorts are that of the Susquehanna Valley Velo Club’s http://susvalleyvelo.com I try to pick and choose which cycling outfit to wear as I am also on Team Army.
To those who truly bought their bands with their money going to the cause and wear it for a reason that means something to them, thanks.
I have worn one without fail since they became available. I wore mine somewhat for vanity’s sake but more importantly to honor my father who has battled the effects of colon cancer for nearly three years. Yesterday (Sunday), I finally removed the Live Strong band that had adorned my wrist for so long and gently placed it on my father’s wrist shortly after he took his last breath at the young age of 72! Regardless of whether or not I am wearing a Live Strong Band, I will be riding in the LAF ‘Ride for the Roses’ as I have since its inception. This year though it will be more of struggle emotionally because this year, I will not only ride in honor of, but also in memory of my father.
My condolences on your loss. I was lucky, so far my father has won his fight vs colon cancer. I still wear my band in honor of his fight and to remind others that the disease has not gone away. Do you have a link for the LAF ride? I haven’t done this yet.
I am sincerely sorry for your loss, and I wish the best to you and your family during this time of grieving. Hopefully all of those wristbands out there have helped make great strides in finding a cure for this devastating disease.
I really never started. I was turned off by the trendiness of it, which I think took away from the meaning. Mine sits on my dresser so I look at it every day and remind my self how thankful I am that my brother survived testicular cancer. It reminds me of my grandmother that quickly lost her life to cancer, of my cousin who lost his fight to cancer at 21, to my dad who caught his prostate cancer early…and I actually started to wear mine again here and there on the days when my 15 year old cousin is in chemo for Ewings Sarcoma. I want to constantly think of his stuggles…and the band reminds me to call him and email him.
The band is a great idea…bummer it turned to a fashion statement. I keep it where just I can see it and be reminded.
but I really want him to be clean. So I’ll keep mine on.
