"Livestrong" mickey bracelets?

[tjmw2727]

My soap box...I think sometimes people just need to take a step back...Rubber bracelets have been around forever. It's not like Lance Armstrong invented them and just b/c he came up with a great idea for his charity does not mean others who produce bracelets or tag on to it need to use it they way he did. Just b/c my girls wear pink ribbons does not mean they suport breast cancer and there is a terrible and troubling trend in schools right now with different colour braclets related to the types of sexual acts they perform. Does this mean Disney should be aware of this and not produce a certain colour...of course not.

Sometimes they are what they are...just bracelets.

I just think that for a company like Disney to jump on this trend and not give even a small portion to a charity is unfortunate. I am in no way saying that you shouln't buy or wear the bracelets if you like them I just think Disney missed the boat on this one. Even a small portion going to something like MAW woujld go a long way esp since MAW puts such a large portion of its donations back into WDW via trips for the kids!

You must admit that Lance did start a huge trend with these bracelets both in terms of money and awareness. Not since the POW bracelets have I seen this.

As for the braclets in relation to sexual activity - its grossely exagerated if true at all. Snopes has great informaiton on urban legends, the truth and origins!

TJ

 

[princess aurora]

I was just thinking the same thing, urban legend! I remember seeing that story on the news and it was a legend.

*ahem* Okay well perhaps you should be checking with your teenage kids again b/c there IS a problem with children doing "things" with each outher and they use different colours and different ways of tieing together bracelets to mean different things.

Perhaps not where you live though so you can be thankful for that.

 

[vicb]

*ahem* Okay well perhaps you should be checking with your teenage kids again b/c there IS a problem with children doing "things" with each outher and they use different colours and different ways of tieing together bracelets to mean different things.

Perhaps not where you live though so you can be thankful for that.

Probably kids got the idea from all the media hype! I did take TJ's advice and looked at snopes.com and they say that idea is of "undetermined or ambiguous veracity."

Anyway the topic in this thread is the Disney knockoffs of the Livestrong bracelets not the other bracelets.

 

[laurabelle]

Add my .02 to that as well. They can, of course, make whatever souviniers they wish - but I personally think they shouldn't do them to mimic the Livestrong just for Disney to make an extra buck. They should at least do them in red,black & yellow - Mickey colors. The Lance Armstrong bracelets go to support cancer research and clinical trials - ---- Clinical trials that literally saved my life.

Hey Debbie- you know I agree 100%!

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Before bashing Disney for making a few bucks on a hot trend, has anyone stopped to consider how much $$ Disney has donated to charities and even the local economy?Would it help matters if they didnt donate any money to charity EXCEPT a portion of the bracelets . I dont think so. Let Disney sell what they want if you want it buy it if not dont criticize them for engaging in capitalism

 

[tzuhouse]

As a Peloton Project member who is hosting 10 fundraisers for the Lance Armstrong Foundation this year, I completely agree with the thought that I do not like all the different companies that have copied LAF and are now making their own bracelets and profiting from them. I don't really have a problem with different colors for different types of cancer because LAF is for all types of cancer, but there are many companies using the same bands to make a buck and not raise awareness about anything.

As the owner of a very large internet scrapbooking group here in Houston, we had one lady send an email several months back about how excited she was that she had finally gotten a "Livestrong" band at the local hallmark. She commented that she even got one in purple. That sent up red flags. I emailed her and asked if the bands said LIVEstrong on them. They both did. Well, anyone familiar with LAF knows that the slogan is "Wear yellow". I had her send me pics of these bracelets and sure enough, they were counterfeit. No where on the package said LAF or Lance Armstrong Foundation. They were identical packaging in every other way. I found the owner and they had been selling these bracelets in all his stores (12 or so). Someone just sold them off the back of a truck and he assumed the money was going to LAF, so he bought a bunch of them and resold in the stores. LAF is very aware that these counterfeiters are actually using the copyrighted word "LIVEstrong" and have lawyers working on the issue.

As far as the rest go, I would rather have a LIVEstrong band and raise awareness than just another souvenir.

Mary

 

[Madi100]

Before bashing Disney for making a few bucks on a hot trend, has anyone stopped to consider how much $$ Disney has donated to charities and even the local economy?Would it help matters if they didnt donate any money to charity EXCEPT a portion of the bracelets . I dont think so. Let Disney sell what they want if you want it buy it if not dont criticize them for engaging in capitalism

I completely agree with this. I'd be willing to bet that Make A Wish would rather the money that Disney continued to help with those big trips or however else they help with charities than to get just the proceeds from a few bracelets. I think they are cute and a cheap souvenir.

 

[laurabelle]

Agreed, Disney is charitable, that's why it makes even less sense that they would jump on this "trend" without having a charity related to it. Considering that they are charging twice the amount that Livestrong bracelets cost, I would think they could donate 1/2 to MAW or another worthy cause and still make a healthy profit...If they did, I'd buy one.

 

[tjmw2727]

I don't see anyone here 'bashing" Disney, that certainly wasn't my intent.

Personally I was stating why I will think twice before buying one of the plastic Disney bracelets. Obviously I am in the minority and that's ok! I will still visit WDW and spend way to much money, just probably not on the bracelets.

My problem is that bracelets of that type have become associated with charity, awarness and $$. Most people who wear one do so because of the charity and most people who see one of these bracelets on someone else assume it is to support a charity. I still think that Disney may have missed an opportunity here that's all. I hope they give to lots of charities including MAW!

They are cute but also cost more than a LS or BCA - FWIW.

Anyway -
TJ

 

[fanofdisney]

As a Peloton Project member who is hosting 10 fundraisers for the Lance Armstrong Foundation this year, I completely agree with the thought that I do not like all the different companies that have copied LAF and are now making their own bracelets and profiting from them. I don't really have a problem with different colors for different types of cancer because LAF is for all types of cancer, but there are many companies using the same bands to make a buck and not raise awareness about anything.

As the owner of a very large internet scrapbooking group here in Houston, we had one lady send an email several months back about how excited she was that she had finally gotten a "Livestrong" band at the local hallmark. She commented that she even got one in purple. That sent up red flags. I emailed her and asked if the bands said LIVEstrong on them. They both did. Well, anyone familiar with LAF knows that the slogan is "Wear yellow". I had her send me pics of these bracelets and sure enough, they were counterfeit. No where on the package said LAF or Lance Armstrong Foundation. They were identical packaging in every other way. I found the owner and they had been selling these bracelets in all his stores (12 or so). Someone just sold them off the back of a truck and he assumed the money was going to LAF, so he bought a bunch of them and resold in the stores. LAF is very aware that these counterfeiters are actually using the copyrighted word "LIVEstrong" and have lawyers working on the issue.

As far as the rest go, I would rather have a LIVEstrong band and raise awareness than just another souvenir.

Mary

I am glad to hear they are working on it. A lady at work at had a white Livestrong bracelet on, and she said she bought it out of state somewhere. I told her they were a copy, and she said she didn't care. I told her I just thought she would want to know that her money was not going to LAF. I guess she just wanted the look of them.

Which is fine- before I tick anyone off. They are trendy, and I like them! My issue is with the Livestrong trademark.

 

[jazstar87]

does anyone know if they are selling them at the world of disney in nyc?
I like them they are kinda cute.

 

[hAm53]

i just dropped this email to WDW:

Hi Disney World Folks!
Those new Mickey Head Bracelets look really cool. Especially the green one!!!
I did have one quick question. In the tradition of Lance Armstrong's liveSTRONG bracelets, and those that came after his, do any proceeds of the sale of these bracelets go to charity?
Although being a stockholder in the Mouse House, I can appreciate getting as much revenue as possible, the tradition these bracelets have of raising awareness for certain causes seem like a perfect fit for a company like yours with such a loyal customer base. Your long standing relationship with such great organizations, Make A Wish, Give Kids the World, and all of the central florida food banks you help, to name a few, makes it only natural that these bracelets would help out such causes.
Again, thanks for all the great work you do, both in the parks and in the community!


i'll let you know what they say!

 

[tzuhouse]

Great letter!!!!!

Mary

 

[bratus913]

i just dropped this email to WDW:

Hi Disney World Folks!
Those new Mickey Head Bracelets look really cool. Especially the green one!!!
I did have one quick question. In the tradition of Lance Armstrong's liveSTRONG bracelets, and those that came after his, do any proceeds of the sale of these bracelets go to charity?
Although being a stockholder in the Mouse House, I can appreciate getting as much revenue as possible, the tradition these bracelets have of raising awareness for certain causes seem like a perfect fit for a company like yours with such a loyal customer base. Your long standing relationship with such great organizations, Make A Wish, Give Kids the World, and all of the central florida food banks you help, to name a few, makes it only natural that these bracelets would help out such causes.
Again, thanks for all the great work you do, both in the parks and in the community!


i'll let you know what they say!

Any word from Disney yet? I was just curious!!

 

[mking624]

I think they are an interesting idea. Yes, they bracelets have become associated with charity, etc, but I don't think there's any reason why something that's now become a fashion trend cannot be copied by others. And yes, the LiveStrong bracelets HAVE become a fashion trend. A good number of people aren't wearing them JUST because of the charity...but because of Lance Armstrong, because other celebs are wearing it, etc. It's like Kabbalah. You really think all those people are actually into it or that it's just become a trend? Now that the style has gotten well past the point of just supporting a charity, many companies have decided to do their own thing as well. Almsot all of those companies have waited until it WAS a fashion statement...hardly anyone was making copies of these things until well after the LS bracelets were out. Lance Armstrong did not say this style was exclusive to his charity, therefore giving companies the full right to make similar styles.

I personally won't buy an LS bracelet for my own personal reasons. Though I'm definitely supportive of research for a cure for cancer (as my grandfather passed away last year after a 13 year battle with it), personal reasons prevent me from supporting Lance Armstrong's personal campaign (I will donate to the ACS on my own). I have no interest in explaining why. So therefore, I do purchase other bracelets that will raise awareness (even if my money isn't going to a charity). I have a light blue one that was made for me to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer. The money itself didn't go to charity, but it's not like I'm incapable of donating money myself...which I do. I have a purple one to raise awareness to fight against animal testing. I just ordered a royal blue one some days ago from the Small Steps website to raise awareness on healthy living and also to remind me of my own healthy living.

I see people all the time with different bracelets on. The Chicago Cubs came out with one recently that I found was amusing (it says "believe")...I've seen different ones at Walgreens with various encouraging words on there. So what if companies are now making them because they've become popular? If people are so upset about that, they can simply write a check to a charity while also realizing that trendy things are gonna catch on by other companies. It's no different than the cause ribbons. What started out as raising awareness or something has become not only a matter of raising awareness, but also different things such as ethnic or lifestyle pride, a recognization tool for people meeting up, etc. Once something becomes "trendy", people take it and make it their own. That's life.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I don't understand. From what I can see the Disney bracelets don't say "Live Strong" on them. I could understand there being some controversy if they did, but they look like they just have Mickey heads on them.

I actually didn't even KNOW about the Lance Armstrong/Charity connection with the bracelets. I've see the darn things everywhere from Walgreens to Target to Kauffmans. I thought they were just a new fashion trend until just the other day.

My niece has about 5 different ones and I know I'll be picking her up some of the Disney ones on my trip too. I don't feel it's an issue...especially since as someone else said Disney is already very charitable.

 

[HollyJoy]

Wish we were going back soon so I could get some for my girls. They are totally "in" to these type of bracelets right now! Very cute!

 

[Tiger926]

I've read through this entire thread - very interesting! My DH and I both proudly wear our Livestrong bracelets as well because we support the cause, plain and simple, but let's be honest, Disney is the world's biggest marketing machine. This means that since these bracelets are very popular, it's now Disney's turn to cash in on the fad. Since they are charging double, chances are, not a penny is going to any type of charity or research - they are just cashing in on this latest fad, and judging by the amount of people on here who are interested, they are going to make a ton of money on this. I have a problem with the fact that they are kind of hijacking the Livestrong fad to market their own version which as we all know is inevitably going into Disney's pockets and no one else's! Disney doesn't need a penny more of my money, but cancer research definitely does!

Tiger

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

While I agree that most of the bracelets are being done in association with different charities ther are some that are just for decoration. As long as you understand that not all are for charity then no problem. Lady Foot Locker is selling them in packs of 3 for like $2 and they are just for decoration.

The agency I volunteer with will be selling red ones for AIDS awareness that say "hope, compassion, care" with the little ribbon symbol in between.

Unfortunately there are already red ones for MS, American Red Cross, and diabetes. With a limited number of colors and an UNlimited number of charities there really won't be the huge impact of the yellow ones for any other color. Anyone who has a red one will assume all the other red ones are for the same cause.

A neighbor gave me a yellow LiveStrong one, but it may be one of the knock-offs, now that I think about it!

My problem with many of the bracelets is that they are too big! I need a Youth size or it falls right off. I am hoping I can keep my AIDS one on by wearing it above my watch.

DS has a yellow one but he won't leave it on. He takes it off and plays with it so I won't let him wear it to school.

If we get to go to WDW in October (pending further info from DH's job) I will probably buy some Mickey bracelets for fun.

 

[mking624]

I have a problem with the fact that they are kind of hijacking the Livestrong fad to market their own version which as we all know is inevitably going into Disney's pockets and no one else's! Disney doesn't need a penny more of my money, but cancer research definitely does!

If Disney doesn't need a penny more of your money, then why do you go back there? I mean, seriously...think about the statement you just made. If they really didn't need a penny more of your money and cancer research did, don't you think your vacation money would be better spent on cancer research? I'm not saying you are forced to choose between the two, I'm just saying that if you're going to make a statement like that, you need to take it to its logical conclusion.

I don't know what all the fuss is about. It's not like Disney is the first to do this. And Disney is not making claims saying that this is for charity. Just like everything else they do, they market to what consumers are finding interest in. It's a business...they are doing what is bringing profit to their business. They're not doing anything illegal or ethically wrong. They're making a bracelet. It's not going to stop anyone from getting the LS bracelet if they want to get that bracelet. And it's not going to stop anyone from donating to the American Cancer Society if they want to donate. All it's going to do is giving someone another bracelet. And yet people feel the need to debate that. Why? It's just pointless.