Deborah Cannon, Associated Press Lance Armstrong reaches out for someone wearing one of the now familiar yellow wristbands as he rides in a parade in Austin, Texas. Click photo for larger image.

From celebrities to politicians to ordinary people, those little yellow wrist bands seem to be everywhere. Created to raise funds to battle cancer, the bands have morphed into a must-have. A fashion statement that fights cancer -- that's what the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) has achieved with its simple rubber wristbands stamped with the champion cyclist's mantra: "Live strong."

President Bush and John Kerry both reportedly have them, as do Armstrong's girlfriend Cheryl Crow, Bill Clinton, Jada Pinkett Smith, Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks and Ben Stiller, among many others. Jay Leno distributed them to his audience in July, and nearly 25,000 were sold on the Champs-Elysees on the last day of this year's Tour de France. According to the foundation, another half-million sold within four days of Armstrong's record breaking sixth tour win.

Though yellow is the color of the tour leader's jersey, for Armstrong ( a seven year cancer survivor) it also represents hope and courage. It's the foundation's belief that in the battle with cancer "knowledge is power and attitude is everything."

The bands can be purchased for $1 each at www.wearyellow.com or www.laf.org. For more information on cancer survival, go to www.livestrong.org The proceeds from the sale of the bracelets benefit LAF. -- Patricia Sheridan