Saw Movie Fans Bleed for Red Cross

After reading one of the previous blogs, I became curious about the alternative methods that Red Cross takes to ensure that they are financially sound through out the year. So, I did a little poking and prodding on Google and came across a press release that I thought was really awesome.

Last summer, Red Cross partnered with Lionsgate’s movie, SawII, for the annual “Give Till It Hurts” campaign, which coincided with the movie release during Halloween. During the event, public service announcements with Tobing Bell, the main character, and graphic elements, created by Lionsgate, were used to promote the cause. I thought this was really creative on the Red Cross’s behalf, especially because they were able to reach a new crowd that may not have given blood before. During the 2006 campaign, more than 23,000 pints of blood were donated, and they helped save about 10,000 lives!

I think it is absolutely amazing how the Red Cross was able to use a movie involving murders and blood as part of a campaign that encouraged people to “bleed for a cause.” This really made me realize how beneficial it can be to think outside the box.

Here is the website if you’d like to read the full press release : http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_6900,00.html

History repeats itself…

While reading through the discoveries of philanthropies and fundraising events, I realized that if it was not for the some of the beginning founders, philanthropic would not be as big as they are today. I believe that the Red Cross is a huge historical philanthropy that will most likely outlive most of the fundraisers today. This started all the way back into the late 1800s and is still a notable philanthropy in existence today. I may be a little bias however because my county is named after her. I have also given blood to the Red Cross for years. It has definitely developed and strengthened over the years, as more and more college students are donating when they come to universities. They also have strong ties of communication. They are always calling to schedule people to donate blood. I think this organization is one of the most prominent in history.