George,

Help me publicize the campaign I started this afternoon after watching the cynical bloodsaves.com commercial one too many times.

The bloodsaves.com "Saving the World Isn't Easy" television ad campaign is extremely cynical and should be pulled off of the air. The TV commercials and related web site are sponsored by the American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers, and the AABB in association with the Advertising Council.

[For instance] the ad featuring "Julie" shows a young woman who successfully fights a local polluter resulting in economic havoc for her community when the company goes out of business. It ends by saying "Saving the world isn't easy -- Saving a life is -- Donate blood." To see the ad, go to bloodsaves.com, click on "Check out our TV ads," and then click on "Julie."

This attempt to support one important cause (blood donations) at the expense of another important cause (fighting environmental pollution) is unnecessary and inappropriate. If you agree, let the sponsoring organizations know you want the ads pulled:

comments@adcouncil.org
jmacpherson@americasblood.org
http://www.aabb.org/Contact_Us/contact.htm
http://www.redcross.org/contactus/.

Alex Gulotta (electronic mail, September 10, 2005)

Editor's Note: Here's a print ad from the campaign, entitled "Treehugger." The ads may also be viewed at http://www.adcouncil.org/campaigns/blood_donation/