April 18, 2006 - Day 7 - Week 2 - Bracelets Tell A Story

I never really noticed, because I was not looking before, that bracelets of all sizes, colors and shapes adorn the wrists of women, and a few men.  Decorative for the most part, many bracelets have symbolic value to the wearer.  They have become iconic in the world of cancer victims.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation, because of the association with the yellow jersey, emblematic of winning the Tour de France bicycle race, distributes a bright yellow plastic bracelet.  When Lance crossed the finish line victorious for a record breaking 7^th time, one could not help celebrate his dual victory – best of the elite cyclists of the world, and for besting testicular cancer.  Both remarkable feats for any individual, and when combined, a Herculean effort for sure.  What he has done for cycling has been outpaced by his contribution to cancer awareness, in part through a simple yellow bracelet.  Called the LIVE STRONG bracelet, close to 120 million are now empowering others to address the disease with confidence and strength.

I have worn a bracelet since July 14, 1963. It is made of a stainless steel alloy and was placed on my wrist in the Sikh community of Ajnala, Punjab India.  It represents brotherhood in the Sikh religion and is one of the five signs of that faith.  My symbolic affirmation of the worth of all has never been off my wrist.  It is an outward and visible sign of something I believe in.

Now I have been sent a yellow and a lime green bracelet from friends and family.  I only thought they came in yellow, but I was wrong. There is a national program called CANCER AWARENESS COLORS.  Each color references awareness of a different type of cancer.

Here is the list.  If you see someone with a brightly colored bracelet you will know that they are walking in solidarity with a friend, family member, or simply reinforcing their own sense of self.

1. Pink – Breast Cancer
2. Teal – Ovarian Cancer
3. White- Lung Cancer
4. Dark Blue – Colon Cancer
5. Orange – Leukemia
6. Grey – Brain Cancer
7. Kelly Green – Kidney Cancer
8. Black – Melanoma Cancer
9. Burgundy – Multiple Myeloma
10. Purple – Pancreatic Cancer
11. Yellow – Sarcoma and Bladder Cancer
12. Peach – Uterine Cancer
13. Gold – Childhood Cancer
14. Light Blue – Childhood Cancer
15. Emerald Green – Liver Cancer
16. Periwinkle – Esophageal Cancer (Question: What color is periwinkle?)
17. Lavender – All Cancers

And 18.  Lime – Lymphoma Cancer

If you want to obtain a specific bracelet check out www.choosehope.com.

Anything anyone can do to give another hope is worth doing.

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