The Pink Bracelet Fund has raised more than $200,000 so far in its quest to reach $1 million for the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation for breast cancer research. Created after singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer last October, the fund sells pink, plastic bracelets for $5 each, inscribed with the words, “Be Strong MLE,” referring to Etheridge.

At the Grammy Awards in February, just four months after receiving the diagnosis, Etheridge appeared on stage, bald from chemotherapy, to sing “Piece of My Heart” in a tribute to Janis Joplin. In true “Be Strong” form, Etheridge delivered a powerful performance and received a standing ovation. Bracelets are available through www.thepinkbraceletfund.org.

The Pink Bracelet Fund campaign is modeled after the “Live Strong” yellow bracelets created by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, also in support of cancer research. Cyclist Armstrong was diagnosed with aggressive testicular cancer in 1997. Armstrong underwent treatment and came back to win six consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2004 and, at press time, was competing for his seventh. Bracelets are $1 each in packs of 10, 100, and 1,200; available at www.laf.org.