Wristbands prove point plus form fashion trend

Message lost to some and viewed as fad

By: Megan Jurinek / Campus Reporter

Posted: 2/21/05

Andrew Heinzmann was born on July 3, 2001 and was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome 17 months later.

Angelman Syndrome (AS) causes children not to develop properly. Children with AS do not develop cognitively, and their speech is limited. In most cases "Angels" language consists of only four to five unintelligible words.

These children also suffer from significant movement or balance problems and seizures.

"What is truly an eye opener is when your child is admitted to a large children's hospital and the nurse and even some doctors have not heard of AS," said John Heinzmann, Andrew's father.

"Since the diagnosis, the whole family has encountered people who have asked about Andrew," Heinzmann said. "Our family has done all we can think of to increase awareness."

As active members of The Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF), Heinzmann and his family have developed the idea of selling AS bands, similar to the "Livestrong" bracelets.

The bracelet idea came from Heinzmann's eighth-grade daughter, Kimberly.

"Her friends all wear some form of silicone bands and the popularity is really very impressive," Heinzmann said. "The bands are actually a fashion statement to so many kids."

Students all over Eastern's campus are wearing them in all different colors with all different sayings.

"I think it's a fad," said Kelsey Maynard, a junior recreation administration major. "It's funny how you can find them at the dollar store now, and they seem to have lost all their meaning."

Other students have also felt the same way about the wrist bands.

"They were meant to signify something for cancer survivors, but it has lost meaning and become more of a fad," said Matt Szparkowski, a sophomore psychology major. "I've met people who don't even know what they mean, but they wear them anyway because everyone else does."

Even retail stores are selling them. Szparkowski thinks the fad is disrespectful toward cancer survivors, but at the same time, they are benefiting from the money that is made when people buy the bracelets.

Claire's in Mattoon carries Belief Bands, similar to the AS and Livestrong bracelets.

"They are not as thick, but they are similar, and read 'Trust and Love'," said Melissa Benton, a manager at Claire's.

The package reads, "a symbol of unity, love, trust and faith," she said.

"10 percent of the profit is donated to inner-city charities," Benton said.

The basis for the AS bracelet sales strategy is to use families of "Angels" to sell the bands.

"When someone asks them about their "Angel" they can share the knowledge they have and then ask for their support by purchasing a band," Heinzmann said. "We are in the very early stages of this campaign, and I'm very pleased with the status so far. I hope the program continues to grow."

100 percent of all profits are donated to ASF for hope in finding a cure.

The goal of Band of Angels is to sell 25,000 bands. Every 5,000 bracelets sold generates at least $6,500 for ASF.

"It is so much more important for people to understand AS than to wear or buy a band, but this program gives our core group a reason to go out and spread the news," Heinzmann said.

Through hard work and dedication, parents of "Angels," caregivers and friends have sold 3,408 bands as of Feb. 12.