Back in the summer, when the yellow "LiveStrong" bands were the only rubber bracelets on people's wrists, it was simple.
Everybody knew they were a way to support the group formed by superstar bicyclist Lance Armstrong. "Live strong" was the cancer survivor's motto. Sales from the dollar-apiece bands went to help others with cancer.
Now kids have a virtual rainbow up their sleeves -- bands that are pink, blue, purple, black, red, green, orange, white and camouflage have popped up. The money you spend on them may go to help pay for research to cure other diseases, boost a sports team, cheer up soldiers in Iraq or send food to hungry tsunami survivors.
Or, it might not. Some bands may be colorful and say good-guy things such as "Strive for a Cure" without actually helping any good cause. If you just collect the bands because they look cool (we know, they do), that's your choice.
But if you care about actually doing some good with your snappy collection, ask where your dollars go.
Here are some bands we've seen. See if you can match them to the organization selling them. (There may be more than one color for a cause.)
1. Black
2. Red
3. Pale pink
4. Bright pink
5. Pale blue
6. Bright blue
7. Orange
8. Purple
9. Yellow
A. Lupus Foundation: "Someone You Know Has Lupus"
B. Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids: "1200"
C. Living in Pink (breast cancer): "Living in Pink"
D. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: "Max-Life"
E. Findthecure (autism): "Embrace Engage Enable Expand Express"
F. Lance Armstrong Foundation (cancer): "LiveStrong"
G. Students Against Terrorism (Israel): "Standstrong 4 Israel"
H. Washington Wizards (tsunami relief): "Pure Energy"
I. Findthecure (breast cancer): "LiveLong"
Bonus question: What is the significance of the number 1200 on the red bracelet?
Answers: 1-H; 2-B; 3-I; 4-C; 5-E; 6-G; 7-D; 8-A; 9-F.
Bonus: Each day 1,200 Americans die as a result of tobacco use or being exposed to secondhand smoke.
