Ad 2 to market the nonprofit Hawaii Cord Blood Bank

Hawaii Cord Blood Bank might just become a household name, now that it will be the focus of the Ad 2 Honolulu 2010-2011 pro-bono public service campaign. Ad 2 Honolulu, itself a nonprofit, has been providing marketing campaigns for Hawaii nonprofit organizations since 1969 and has repeatedly won national recognition in the process.

77 nonprofits applied this year. Ad 2 Honolulu campaigns have been valued at around $1 million. Ad 2 presents its finished work to the public via donated print space, air time and outdoor advertising -- such as signs in malls -- and other venues, such as the Internet. The campaign will be unveiled in April.

HCBB has no marketing budget. It collects and preserves umbilical cord blood from registered donors at no charge, upon the births of their babies. The cord blood is then used to treat life-threatening diseases including leukemia and lymphoma, and non-cancerous disorders as well. Cord blood from Hawaii has been shipped around the world to help save the lives of dozens of people of all ages.

Umbilical cord blood is stem-cell rich and its collection is non-controversial. It is done post-partum, after the baby is born. Collection is also pain-free and risk-free for the mother.