Pura Vida bracelets {descriptions}

The Pura Vida story…

Pura Vida bracelets each come with a story.  I may not know each story, but I know the Pura Vida story and it’s one worth telling!

Pura Vida, the business, came about after 2 college students from California went to Costa Rica and discovered 2 men that were selling bracelets on the street.  The bracelets were simply handmade using colorful strings.  The men selling them did not live in the best of conditions and the 2 college students (Paul and Griffin) asked them to make a supply of bracelets that they would bring back to the U.S. and try to sell.  This relatively small business transaction turned into a very lucrative business for all involved.  The men in Costa Rica (Jorge and Joaquin) who make the bracelets are now able to live a more comfortable lifestyle, and are selling several thousand bracelets per week – all because of a chance meeting years ago.

Each Pura Vida bracelet is unique and includes various color combinations.  They have fun names and many of them even represent a specific cause such as Lyme Disease Awareness, Diabetes Awareness, Paralysis Awareness, Depression Awareness, Breast Cancer and many more!  Show your support for just about any cause with a delicate and simple bracelet.  Each Pura Vida bracelet comes with an iron-coated copper “P” charm and is easily adjustable.

Direct from their website: The phrase “Pura Vida” (pu·ra vi·da) means pure life in Spanish. Enjoying life slowly, celebrating good fortune and not taking anything for granted embodies the Pura Vida Lifestyle. It’s about being free and living life to it’s fullest with no regrets or taking anything for granted; it’s an attitude. Pura Vida directly translates into “Pure Life”, simple as that.

I’m proud to be able to be associated with such an incredible company that is doing amazing things.  Not only have they helped Jorge and Joaquin change their life completely, they are also a member of One Percent for the Planet and donates a portion of its proceeds to the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots foundation dedicated to cleaning up beaches and oceans around the world.

Each bracelet is:

– 100% waterproof
– wax-coated
– iron-coated copper “P” charm
– adjustable from 2-5 inches in diameter

Once you buy one – trust me, you will want more!  More designs will be added to my shop regularly so keep checking to see what’s new.


Pura Vida Brain Cancer Awareness bracelet

WHAT IS WE CAN PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR NETWORK ALL ABOUT?

We Can, Pediatric Brain Tumor Network offers critical information and an emotional lifeline to families whose children have brain tumors.  We Can bring families together to meet, share their stories, and equip each other to manage the treatment and recovery of their children.  Based in Los Angeles and serving all of California, We Can include families with newly diagnosed patients, those with children and teenagers who are still in treatment and recovery, and those with older children who were treated more than a decade ago.  Our network also includes families who have experience with end-of-life-care and bereavement.  Support is offered in both English and Spanish.

Facebook: We Can, Pediatric Brain Tumor Network / We Can, Pediatric Brain Tumor Network of Northern California

Website: We Can, Pediatric Brain Tumor Network


Pura Vida Save the Sharks! bracelet

WHAT IS SHARK SAVERS ALL ABOUT?

Shark Savers is dedicated to saving sharks and mantas through building awareness, education, and action.

Founded in 2007 by divers with a shared passion, our mission is to save the world’s dwindling shark and manta populations. Today, more than 25,000 members from 99 nations share that passion.

Focusing on action and results, Shark Savers’ programs result in more protections for sharks and mantas, locally and globally. By leveraging broad professional experience and ocean expertise, Shark Savers brings this important issue to the public in many compelling forms, motivating people to stop consuming sharks and shark fin soup, working for the creation of shark sanctuaries and improved regulations, and empowering divers as advocates and citizen scientists for sharks.

Facebook: Shark Savers
Twitter: Shark Savers
Website: Shark Savers


Pura Vida Lupus Disease Awareness bracelet

WHAT IS LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, INC. ALL ABOUT?

“The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA) is the foremost national nonprofit health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus.”

Facebook: Lupus Foundation of America
Twitter: Lupus Foundation of America
Website: Lupus Foundation of America


Pura Vida Breast Cancer Awareness

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION ALL ABOUT?

The National Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1991 by breast cancer survivor, Janelle Hail.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1980 at the age of 34.  At the time of her diagnosis, there was little information about the disease, and she was forced to make a decision about her health with few options.  After her treatment, Janelle made a commitment to help women around the world by educating them about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

NBCF’s mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need.  This mission includes increasing awareness through education, providing diagnostic breast care services for those in need, and providing nurturing support services.

Facebook: National Breast Cancer Foundation
Twitter: NBCF
Website:  National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.


Pura Vida Parkinson’s Disease Awareness

Parkinson’s Disease Awareness

Today, more than four million people around the world suffer from Parkinson’s disease. The disease is chronic and progressive, with symptoms ranging from tremor, stiffness, rigidity, and pain to speech and swallowing, memory loss and depression. Because of the complexity of this disease, patients and their families, as well as physicians and health care professionals, need access to the most effective care and treatment information available.

That is why the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) works every day to improve the quality of Parkinson’s care through research, education and outreach. They believe by working together, they can improve the quality of care for every person diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease today and in the future.

For over half a century generous donors like you have been behind every one of our shared accomplishments.  They ask you to be a part of their future.  Their work has never been more important.

Facebook: National Parkinson Foundation
Twitter: NPF /@ParkinsonDotOrg
Website:  National Parkinson Foundation


Pura Vida Negu: Never Ever Give Up!

WHAT IS JESSIE REES FOUNDATION™ ALL ABOUT?

Jessie Rees Foundation™, is a recognized 501(c)3 public charity. NEGU™ which stands for Never Ever Give Up , is the motto of Jessica Joy Rees. Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March of 2011, Jessica has inspired thousands of people to NEGU™ in life no matter what!

Their mission and motto  is to encourage every child fighting cancer to never give up, through: awareness, assisting families, resource finding, encouragement, and supporting the NEGU lifestyle.   Want to know more?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessieReesFoundation
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeamNEGU
Website:  www.negu.org


Pura Vida Spina Bifida Awareness bracelet

WHAT IS SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION ALL ABOUT? 

Spina Bifida Association (SBA) serves adults and children who live with the challenges of Spina Bifida. Through education, advocacy, research and service, the SBA has been the only national voluntary health agency dedicated to solely enhancing the lives of persons touched with this very challenging birth defect.

Facebook: Spina Bifida Association
Twitter: @SpinaBifidaAssn
Website: Spina Bifida Association


Pura Vida Multiple Sclerosis Awareness bracelet 

WHAT IS THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ALL ABOUT?

About MS
• Multiple sclerosis also known as MS, is the most common neurological disorder diagnosed in young adults.
• MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and the effects of MS differ with each individual.
• On average, women are three times more likely than men to develop MS.

About MSAA
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1970.  The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides ongoing support and direct services to individuals with MS, their families, and their care partners.

Facebook: Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
Twitter: @MSassociation
Website: Multiple Sclerosis Association of America and Swim for MS


Pura Vida Melanoma Awareness bracelet 

WHAT IS THE MELANOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION ALL ABOUT?

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma. The MRF is an active advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF’s website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers.

To support medical RESEARCH for finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma. To EDUCATE patients and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. To act as an ADVOCATE for the melanoma community to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure

Please view our Pathways for a Cure brochure to learn more about how you an get involved and help support our mission!

Facebook: Melanoma Research Foundation
Twitter: @CureMelanoma
Website: Melanoma Research Foundation


Pura Vida Celiac Disease Awareness bracelet 

WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE FOUNDATION ALL ABOUT?

Celiac Disease Foundation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing support as well as services regarding celiac disease through programs of education, awareness, research and advocacy. CDF has remained dedicated to improving the quality of life for those diagnosed or yet to be diagnosed and their families since its inception in 1990.

Facebook: Celiac Disease Foundation
Twitter: @CeliacDotOrg
Website: Celiac Disease Foundation


Pura Vida Autism Awareness Original bracelet 

WHAT IS THE AUTISM SOCIETY ALL ABOUT?

The Autism Society, is the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization. It exists to improve the lives of everyone affected by autism. This is done by increasing public awareness, advocating for appropriate services, and by providing the latest information regarding advocacy, education, treatment and continued research. Please learn more by visiting their website.  Get your bracelet today and join us in advocating for such an important cause.

Find out more:
Facebook: The Autism Society of America
Twitter: @AutismSociety
Website: Autism Society


Pura Vida Best Friends Animal Society bracelet 

A Better World Through Kindness to Animals

Best Friends Animal Society is guided by a simple philosophy: kindness to animals builds a better world for all of us. In the late 1980s, when Best Friends was in its early days, roughly 17 million dogs and cats were being killed in shelters every year. Despite the commitment of shelter workers to the animal in their care, the conventional belief was that little could be done to lower that terrible number.

Best Friends’ No More Homeless Pets campaign created a new vision: A grassroots effort to place dogs and cats who were considered “unadoptable” into good homes, and to reduce the number of unwanted pets through effective spay and neuter programs.  Since then, the number of dogs and cats being destroyed in shelters has fallen to approximately 5 million a year.  There has been much progress, but there is still much more to do.

The next phase of this work — bringing the number down to essentially zero — will take more work and some bold new initiatives. Shelters are crowded with pit bulls, dogs abandoned after being bought from pet stores, stray cats rounded up on the streets and not looking their very best when they’re brought in, and other pets abandoned or neglected.

As the flagship of a grassroots network of people and organizations that care about animals, Best Friends continues to lead the way towards this future.  And that’s why our purpose remains: A better world through kindness to animals.

Find out more:
Facebook: Best Friends Animal Society
Twitter: @BFAS
Website: Best Friends Animal Society


Pura Vida Crohn’s Disease Awareness bracelet 

WHAT IS THE CROHN’S & COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN ALL ABOUT?

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cures for Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. It was founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, M.D.

Since our founding over four decades ago, CCFA has remained at the forefront of research in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Today, we fund cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurture investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finance underdeveloped areas of research. In addition, our educational workshops and programs, along with our scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field. We are very proud that theNational Institutes of Health has commended us for “uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research.”

To cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.
Find out more:
Facebook: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America
Twitter: @CCFA
Website: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America


Pura Vida Stop Bullying Awareness bracelet 

WHAT IS BULLYING.ORG ALL ABOUT? 

Bullying.org’s purpose is to prevent bullying in our society through education and awareness. They provide educational programs and resources to individuals, families, educational institutions and organizations. They make available online learning and educational resources in order to help people deal effectively and positively with the act of bullying and its long-lasting negative consequences.

Find out more:
Facebook: Bullying.org
Twitter: @Bullying_org
Website: Bullying.org


Pura Vida Joyful Heart Foundation bracelet

WHAT IS THE JOYFUL HEART FOUNDATION AND NO MORE ALL ABOUT? 

The mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.

The vision of the Joyful Heart Foundation is a community that:

  • is empowered with knowledge, courage and compassion to help survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse heal mind, body and spirit;
  • values and dedicates resources to individuals and families that have been impacted by these issues; and
  • seeks to ignite and foster an open dialogue about how to collaboratively end the cycle of violence and abuse.

NO MORE is a new, overarching symbol, like the pink breast cancer ribbon and the yellow support our troops ribbon, that is bringing together all people, organizations and communities that support ending domestic violence and sexual assault in our society.

Find out more:
Facebook: Joyful Heart Foundation and NOMORE.org
Twitter: @TheJHF and NOMORE.org
Website: Joyful Heart Foundation and NOMORE.org


Pura Vida The Cure Starts Now bracelet 

WHAT IS THE CURE STARTS NOW ALL ABOUT? 

Every 9 minutes a child is diagnosed with brain cancer. Brain cancer is the deadliest of all childhood cancers, yet the most underfunded. The Cure Starts Now Foundation raises funds for ground breaking research and innovative treatments for these children. It started with just one child. It started with just one heart. Today, The Cure Starts Now Foundation (501c3 Federal Non-Profit) is one of the only cancer foundations dedicated to a “homerun” cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult cancers: pediatric brain cancer. Many experts believe that the lessons we learn from fighting pediatric cancer may in fact provide us with the critical first step in winning the battle against all forms of cancer, both pediatric and adult. The Cure Starts Now has funded over one million dollars in research, awareness and programs in just 5 short years.  Its chapters now help families in 25 states and two countries.

Find out more:
Facebook: The Cure Starts Now
Twitter: @CureStartsNow
Website: The Cure Starts Now Foundation


Pura Vida Diabetes Awareness bracelet 

WHAT IS DIABETES ALL ABOUT?

  • Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), or simply, diabetes, is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin.
  • Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless.
  • Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Find out more:
Facebook: American Diabetes Association
Twitter: @AmDiabetesAssn
Website: American Diabetes Association


Pura Vida U.S. Army bracelet 

U.S. Army

The U.S. Army, a key component of the U.S. Armed Forces, is made up of the best-trained, most dedicated, most respected Soldiers in the world — protecting America’s freedoms at home and abroad, securing our homeland, and defending democracy worldwide.

Find out more:
Facebook: GOARMY.COM
Twitter: @GoArmy
Website: GoArmy


Pura Vida U.S. Marine Corps bracelet

U.S. Marine Corps

They make Marines.  They win our nation’s battles.  They develop quality citizens.  These are the promises the Marine Corps makes to our nation and our Marines. They form the foundation of our
demanding recruit training process, our reputation as America’s force in readiness, and the reciprocal commitment
between Marine and Marine Corps expressed in our motto: Semper Fidelis.

Find out more:
Facebook: United States Marine Corp
Twitter: @USMarineCorps
Website: U.S. Marine Corps


Pura Vida U.S. Navy bracelet 

U.S. Navy

America’s Navy is a force as relevant today as it’s been historically significant for the last 236 years. The times may change. The threats may become more obscure. The complex nature of 21st century life may make the demand for such a presence less obvious. But now more than ever, the Navy is something to be aware of. Something to be thankful for. Something to be proud of.

Find out more:
Facebook: U.S. Navy
Twitter: @us_navyseals
Website: U.S. Navy


Pura Vida Our Forgotten Warriors bracelet 

Our Forgotten Warriors

The overall mission of the OFW is to aid our warriors so that they may participate within their communities equally through community reintegration. OFW strives to promote positive perception of our wounded warriors and is committed to helping our warriors by taking a holistic approach to assist the community they serve.

When a soldier suffers a devastating injury, it impacts the entire family. Your donation gives hope to these individuals. By showing your support you give our veterans the chance to live normal productive lives.

Find out more:
Facebook: USMS Forgotten Warriors 
Twitter: @forourwarriors
Website: Our Forgotten Warriors