Phony Plastic Wristbands a Growing Problem
Monday, June 13, 2005
What Does Your Bracelet Mean?
Black - Melanoma
Blue - Prostate Cancer
Burgundy - Multiple Myeloma
Clear - Lung Cancer
Dark Blue - Colon Cancer
Gold - Childhood Cancers
Grey - Brain Cancer
Kelly Green - Kidney cancer
Lavender - General Cancer Awareness
Lime Green - Lymphoma
Orange - Leukemia
Peach - Uterine Cancer
Pink - Breast Cancer
Purple - Pancreatic Cancer
Teal - Ovarian Cancer
Mauve - Overcooked Pasta
Teal and White - Cervical Cancer
Blue - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Arthritis, Distonia, Interstitial Cystisis, Reye's Syndrome, Inappropriate Erections
Gray - Aphasia, Allergies, Asthma, Brain Tumor, Diabetes, Mental Illness, Multiple Sclerosis, Emphysema, Parkinson's Disease, Lung Disease
Green - Childhood Depression, Kidney Transplant, Depression, Lyme Disease
Light Blue - Scleroderma, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Graves Disease
Light Blue or Purple - Irritable Bowel
Orange - Leukemia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Pink - Hodgkin's Disease
Purple - Alzheimers, Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, Macular Degeneration, Pulmonary Hypertension, Lupus, Rhett Syndrome, Sarcoidosis
Red - Aids, HIV, Heart Disease
White - Retinoblastoma, bracelet fatigue
Yellow - Liver Disease, Endometriosis, Spinal Bifida
Burgundy - Cesarean Section, Headache
Gray - Disabled Children
Orange - Self-Injury
Black - Gang Prevention, Mourning
Turquoise - Getting Republicans out of the closet
Black and White - Remembering the Dead
Blue - Education, Victims Rights, Water Quality
Burgundy - Hospice Care
Green - Environment, Genocide in Darfur, Mental Retardation, Organ Donation, Tissue Donation, Worker Safety
Light Blue - Eating Disorders, Legality of Abortion, Tsunami Tragedy
Light Blue or Teal - Sexual Assault, Substance Abuse
Orange - Cultural Diversity, Hunger
Olive Green - Support for U.S. Troops
Purple - Domestic Violence, Foster Care
Red - D.U.I., Military Families
White - Child Exploitation, Peace, Anti-Abortion Legality
Yellow - Missing Children, Suicide
Green Orange - Nonprofit Organizations, Supporting Gang Voilence
Gray - YOPA (Young Onset Parkinson's Association)
Red - D.A.R.E.
Sea Green - Spatulas
(SNN London) Last week, the Trading Standards Institute, a UK consumer protection group, addressed a disturbing and growing trend: counterfeit bracelets. It is estimated that 23 million of these bracelets have been sold in the UK alone.
The worldwide appeal for charity wristbands started with the launch of the yellow Livestrong bracelet in aid of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, set up by the six times Tour de France winner to highlight his crusade against cancer. They have become increasingly popular as celebrities have started to wear them to raise awareness of various causes.
Recent official reports as well as journalistic investigations have found counterfeiters selling the fake bracelets all over England. In addition to the selling of fake bracelets, some vendors are actually selling the charitable items for higher costs and pocketing the profit.
Bryan Lewin, the Trading Standards Institute's lead officer for counterfeiting urges people to buy wristbands from official outlets such as registered charity websites, well-known high street retailers and charity shops. He did not, however, explain why the elevation of the store came into play.
This disturbing news comes when critics have already started to fire upon the makers of magnetic “Support Our Troops” ribbons. Many people believe that when the Chinese manufactured the original red and yellow ribbons and wrote “Support Our Troops”, they actually meant that they wanted us to support their troops. Some go as far as to say that the Chinese do not support our troops at all.
But Hung Ho, the owner of a factory in China appeals to Americans to keep buying magnetic ribbons. “I made these ribbons because it is important support freedom everywhere.” Mr. Ho told us that if Americans stopped buying the ribbons, he would likely have to let many of his workers go. He may also have to trade his Mercedes for a Buick, but only as a last resort because “American cars are crap.”
So if you are traveling to England, it would probably be best to stay away from the charity bracelets, just like you do with the beef or kippers.
