Live Strong Bracelet: Remembering Those Who Lived Strong

New beginnings with the live strong bracelet

In an age where there is fear of terrorism, crime, violence, and other political and social antagonism, the live strong bracelet brings people together in a way that gives tremendous hopes and brings new beginnings for a better society.

The live strong bracelet, a simple yellow wristband branded with the words “live strong,” is something no fashion trend can attempt to beat. People everywhere have responded to the inspirational story of champion cyclist Lance Armstrong’s struggle with cancer, his powerful live strong mantra, and subsequent victories in the Tour de France by uniting in the fight against cancer and wearing the live strong bracelet.

Lance Armstrong developed the Lance Armstrong foundation to help in the fight against cancer and partnered with Nike to develop the live strong bracelet, a simple way we can all unite together and contribute to one of the biggest threats men and women in our nation face.

Remembering those who lived strong with the live strong bracelet

While the live strong bracelet is unquestionably a symbol of hope, inspiration, and the incredible power of the human spirit and positive thinking, it is also a bittersweet reminder of those who lived strong and yet whose lives were taken by the cancer’s undiscerning reach.

Several years ago, my great Aunt Ruthie died of cancer, and she was a person who truly lived strong. Bright, bubbly, always striving to find joy, humor, and the positive in her own life and in the lives of others, my Aunt Ruthie might as well have had the live strong bracelet motto stamped on her heart.

She organized family gatherings with extended family at holidays; she turned unused acres of land next to her home into “Ruthie’s forest,” an eclectic collection of unique and picturesque mini forests with seating areas, ceramic animals, plants, and flowers. She wrote, she crafted, she made homemade bread and pitted cherries, she was active in her church and in the lives of her many friends and family members. The live strong bracelet reminds us all to live strong, to live beautifully, wonderfully, and joyfully each day, just as she did.

Undoubtedly, in some form or another, each of us has a personal story of how we or someone we know has been affected by cancer. The live strong bracelet is a reminder to both live strong, help others live strong, and honor those who lived strong.

Wearing the live strong bracelet saves lives

For each live strong bracelet that is purchased, people affected by cancer are helped. There is a tremendous amount that needs to be done before we can beat cancer, and wearing the live strong bracelet is an easy way each of us can contribute.

In today’s world of strife, beating cancer is something we can all unite together on. Wear the live strong bracelet, remember those who lived strong, and help make the future a place where more and more can live strong, too.

In addition to being a freelance journalist with PULSEMEDIA International, Amy Finley is a creative writer and a graduate student of English at Cleveland State University. She lives in Rome, Ohio with her husband and three young children.