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Fashion for a cause

Livestrong wristbands are a rage among city youth

PHOTO: M. MOORTHY

POPULAR Of different hues

When Lance Armstrong launched yellow Livestrong wristbands, little did he realise that he was starting a fad that would one day penetrate even smaller cities like Tiruchi.

Armstrong, an American cyclist and a record consecutive seven-time winner of Tour de France had to fight testicular cancer during the prime of his career. In 2004, post-cancer, he started Lance Armstrong Foundation to offer support to cancer survivors and patients. He developed yellow bands to be sold for a dollar a piece all over United States to raise funds. The wristbands soon became a rage and are even sold over the Internet to various countries.

In Tiruchi, Livestrong wristbands have become popular fashion accessories. One can see several youngsters including school and college students sporting coloured wristbands. Shops sell Livestrong wristbands of various hues — red, pink, blue and white among others. They are available even for Rs.10 and the price varies across the shops. Besides Livestrong bands, several multi-coloured wristbands are also available in the market. The `Stand Up Speak Up' band, which stands for anti-racism consists of two bands, one black and the other white that are interlinked. While these wristbands symbolize awareness for various causes, they also make a fashion statement. S. Neelakandan, a class-eight student wears a radium Livestrong band. "It glows in the dark", he says, displaying it proudly.

A school- going teenager admits that her classmates including herself do not know the origin of the Livestrong wristband.

However, they do have a good collection of Livestrong wristbands and wear them, sometimes two or more at a time to school. College students wear wristbands to match their outfits.

Anchors in television shows and music channels have popularised the trend. Whether youngsters in Tiruchi wear wristbands to show their stand for a cause or to be in vogue, wristbands sure looks good on them.

R. REENA

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