Initially used for spreading awareness about cancer, custom rubber bracelets are now the darling of every non-profit organization – both for awareness generation and as a great fundraising tool. The Red Cross has its own red custom rubber bracelets for supporting Tsunami victims, while the relatives of American servicemen wear green custom rubber bracelets bearing the message ‘Support our troops.’ Besides, each cancer charity has its own custom color bracelets! Custom rubber bracelets also serve as a fashion statement. That’s one of the main reasons for their popularity. Ace cyclist Lance Armstrong had returned to win the Tour de France title for a record seventh time after his successful fight with cancer wearing one of these rubber bracelets. Since Lance Armstrong cycled to victory wearing his famous yellow LiveStrong rubber band, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has sold 52 million rubber bracelets and contributed millions to cancer research. Snapping at the heels of the LiveStrong cancer rubber bracelets in popularity, we have the pink breast cancer awareness bracelets.

There are rubber bracelets worn by Hurricane Katrina rescue workers and custom rubber bracelets with the tsunami theme as well. You also have NBA, MLB, and NASCAR custom rubber bracelets, rubber bracelets with team symbols, or ones with any specific designs you like.

Now you can even design your own custom bracelets: when you shop online you can have silicon custom-embossed extra wide bracelets, twice as thick as the standard silicone bracelets; you can select the colors, the design, and the text you want to print. There are colors and designs that glow in the dark. Obviously, the more you want to customize your bracelet, the more expensive it becomes. Silicone, leather and metal custom bracelets are more expensive then the rubber ones. The former, though, are really great fundraisers.

There are also screen-printed silicone bracelets. These cheaper than the embossed versions. Contact the custom rubber bracelet agencies and they will provide you with the different color and design options they have for their bracelets. Once you select your color, design, and even the material (whether silicone, metal, or rubber), the agency will send you a full color proof. You can make further additions or any other changes to the proof. Once you are satisfied with the design, the agency starts the production of your custom bracelet.

Custom rubber bracelets are used as identification devices. In hospitals, custom bracelets are worn by patients. These bracelets have all the medical information of the patient imprinted on them. This is really useful in emergency situations when doctors can access all the information they need from the patient’s wrist. Newborn babies have bracelets around their wrists for identification in neo-natal wards.

Custom rubber bracelets are not just about a message or an attitude, but they are now important information tools as well.

About the Author

Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a registered nurse and wellness advocate has become passionate about the new research behind cancer and the fundraising efforts supporting it. http://www.buy-rubber-wristbands.com

Written By: Joseph Barrett

Symbols of solidarity and empathy in the face of adversity. That is what the ubiquitous yellow rubber bracelets of Lance Armstrong’s Live Strong Foundation are. But when the ace cyclist who overcame cancer to win the Tour de France seven times in a row promoted his signature yellow rubber wristbands, little did he know that he was kicking off a global trend. Today rubber bracelets are no longer just about cancer; they have become the ultimate fundraising tool for charities. What is more, they have become simple, highly customizable talismans of hope and optimism for human beings fighting against the bitter realities of life.

It is this quality of personalization that is at the core of the lure of rubber bracelets all over the world. They now come in all colors and with all kinds of messages stamped on them. The Red Cross has issued red rubber bracelets for tsunami victims, and the relatives of American servicemen are sport green ones with the message ‘Support our troops’ stamped on them. Then there are the yellow rubber band bracelets for cancer research support. Then there are the striped ones coloured like the rainbow, the translucent ones, the ones with twin messages… You’ll find as many types of those rubber bracelets as there are people around!

You may know someone diagnosed with cancer, you may happen to know a tsunami victim, you may have a relative or friend in Iraq or Afghanistan. Each time you see that rubber loop on your wrist you will be reminded of them. That is the beauty of it all. They are not something you leave at home when you go to work. They are an ever-present reminder of the cause you support, the no-so-fortunate brethren you care for.

And these rubber bracelets can be left on your wrists at all times — neither sweat nor water can spoil them. Plus they are cheap. Rubber bracelets can be ordered in lots of 500 or more at some Web sites for very low rates.

As a promotion tool the rubber bracelets are a win-win proposition for all people involved. The charities that sell these rubber bracelets donate a portion of the proceeds to the cause they support, the citizen who buys them gets a means to show he cares, and for the manufacturer of the rubber bracelet it is just more business coming his way!

These rubber bracelets are a way to convert a vicious circle of despair and ruin into a virtuous circle of hope and solidarity. So what are you waiting for? Get one of those rubber bracelets now!

About the Author

Shannan Barrett finds that their highly customizable nature has made rubber bracelets the ultimate personal talisman of hope and solidarity for millions around the world. Know more about rubber bracelets at http://www.a1-awareness-bracelets.com/rubber-bracelet.html.

Written By: Shannan Barrett