Capitalizing on a current fad to promote poison help: (1-800-222-1222).
BACKGROUND
The distinctive yellow Lance Armstrong 'Live Strong' silicon wristbands, which support cancer research, have reached iconic status and spawned substantial interest from other organizations seeking to capitalize on the same awareness opportunity. To promote the national toll-free Poison Help telephone number, a regional poison information center developed and introduced a Poison Help wristband.


METHODS
The RPIC worked with a marketing firm to design the Poison Help wristband, conduct a feasibility analysis to determine the financial viability of the project and develop a plan to market and sell the wristbands. The wristbands were a unique color, contained the words Poison Help and the national toll-free telephone number.


RESULTS
Approximately 50,000 wristbands were distributed in the first four months.


CONCLUSIONS
By developing a practical application for a popular item, the RPIC increased poison center awareness and, as a secondary benefit, generated revenue to support other poison prevention education endeavors.
Krenzelok
Edward P
EP
Pittsburgh Poison Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. edward.krenzelok@chp.edu
Klick
Ross N
RN
Burke
Thomas V
TV
Mrvos
Rita
R
D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D015277:Hotlines / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040241:Social Marketing