livestrong

I put my first Livestrong bracelet on in 2004, the year it came out. There were several elements that combined to inspire me to make it a permanent part of my wardrobe. The simplicity struck me: just $1, durable rubber, and two words pasted together to form a powerful message. Most importantly, however, my uncle had recently died of a sudden attack of cancer and the bracelet's presence on my wrist served as both memorial and reminder that life is short and often out of our control. All the more reason to live strong. Continue reading →

I was wearing one of those yellow Livestrong wristbands yesterday, pre-Oprah. It's still on. It isn't about Lance Armstrong, I've explained to my kids. It's about me. I survived prostate cancer five years ago, and it changed in useful ways how I think about life—aiming high, not putting things off, that sort of stuff. I rather like the continual reminder. I've never cared much for cycling, for myself or on TV, but it's hard not to admire a man of determination who keeps coming back. Continue reading →

When my father was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, one of the first things I did was put a yellow rubber Livestrong bracelet on my right wrist. I was, at the time, a newly-minted road cycling enthusiast and so I’d read quite a bit about the racing exploits of Lance Armstrong, the man at the centre of the Livestrong campaign. The Armstrong bio — seven Tour de France wins after recovering from a near-fatal fight with cancer — was not only impressive, it was inspiring. Watching him race made me want to ride my bike more. Continue reading →

Lance Armstrong channeled enormous fame to fight cancer. Following his lead, my daughter Cece and I wore his Livestrong bracelet. We walked, ran, swam, rode and gave money, blood and time to defeat cancer. After Cece's cancer diagnosis, we wore leukemia orange beside Armstrong's yellow bracelet with "Cece Be Strong" inscribed on it. She died Feb. 19, a loving 9-year-old, courageous and hopeful to the end. Continue reading →

(CNN) -- Lou Hablas has supported Livestrong for years and worn the iconic yellow bracelet in honor of his uncle, stepmother and friends who have lost loved ones to cancer. He also has volunteered for the cancer charity as a photographer at sporting events that raise money for Livestrong's programs. The 49-year-old Georgia resident says he'll continue to wear the bracelet despite news that embattled cyclist Lance Armstrong is stepping down as chairman of the charity he founded 15 years ago. Continue reading →