Colts selling ChuckStrong bracelets to raise money for leukemia research

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chuckstrong bracelet 15colBeginning Friday, orange ChuckStrong wristbands will be for sale through Colts Pro Shops at Circle Centre mall and Lucas Oil Stadium. The team’s merchandise management company hopes to have the items on sale online later this afternoon.

The wristbands are $2 each with proceeds benefiting leukemia research at the Indiana University Health Simon Cancer Center.

On Oct. 1, the Indianapolis Colts and their fans learned that head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia. Over the past two weeks the community has shown an outpouring of support for Pagano and his family.

The popular Pagano, in his first season as Colts coach, is expected to miss the rest of the season battling leukemia, but is hopeful he can return to the sideline next year.

More than 7,700 ChuckStrong T-shirts have been sold, and Colts officials said more are being made as demand continues to be brisk. Through the sale of those shirts, more than $125,000 has been raised for leukemia research.

Indianapolis-based MainGate Inc.—the firm that manages the Colts merchandise operations—has made an initial batch of 10,000 wrist bands, and company officials think those could sell out quickly.

“I think they’ll be hugely popular,” said CEO Dave Moroknek. It’s such a good cause. For $2, how do you not purchase one?”

MainGate is making all the ChuckStrong items at cost for the Colts.

“All the proceeds truly do go to leukemia research,” Moroknek said.

 Today, the Colts will continue their efforts to show support for Pagano by turning the fountain at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center orange, the color of leukemia awareness..

 At the Colts home game on Sunday the team will host a game-day collection to support leukemia research at the IU cancer center. Volunteers from Indiana University Health will be stationed outside each stadium gate from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. to collect monetary donations. The volunteers will distribute blue ChuckStrong wristbands to fans who contribute to the cause.

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