Band(s) of Brothers?

This summer it seemed as if the every wrist on the subway had a yellow Lance Armstrong band around it. Men, women, children, both straight-laced, athletes and students all had them. But there might be a few new color plastic bands around now.

A recent Newsweek article The Pen-Pal Platoon discusses the new red bands supporting the soldiers that people adopted to send letters and care packages to.

Army Sgt. Juan Salas, 23, and Manhattanville College student started the My Soldier program and as an incentive to writing letters, participants get a red wrist band similar to the Yellow Livestrong ones, to show support for your adopted soldier oversees.

To sign up, click on the graphic:


I used to write letters to my friend's husband. Luckily now after a year-and-a-half he is finally home in time for the holidays. His men really loved the little toys, CDs, magazines and hand wipes I'd send. Most would even write thank you notes back.

It seems these plastic bands are definitely becoming a popular trend. I know I've been looking for the pink breast cancer bands for awhile now. I had liked the yellow bracelets that the whole city, my friends, John Kerry, and even my boss was wearing, but I didn't really follow Armstrong and his cycling career, so I felt it would be weird if I sported one.

But Breast Cancer research is a charity I'm constantly supporting and on a superficial note, the pink bands are prettier, after all like they say pink is the new black. However, these pink bands are selling on eBay for 5$ each plus shipping, instead of the original $1 cost. I don't mind spending the extra money but the terrible thing is the charity the bracelets are supporting are not getting the extra dough. :( Instead, greedy ebayers are pocketing the donation cash. tsk tsk!

It also appears that knock-off and counterfiet yellow bands have been spotted in the Boston area.

LINK: Yellow LIVESTRONG Bracelets Spark Charity Fad