New Red Cross PSA Highlights Haiti Relief and Features Music by John Mayer

Award-winning musician donates song 'The Heart of Life' and $500,000 to support relief efforts

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross today launched national television and radio public service advertisements (PSAs) for Haiti relief efforts that feature the music of seven-time Grammy Award winning musician, John Mayer. To view the PSA, please visit http://bit.ly/HeartofLifePSA.  For a broadcast ready version of the PSA, please visit Redcross.org.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

The public service announcement shows how even the smallest donation can make a difference to those affected by the devastating January earthquake. It includes a montage of people in the U.S. doing whatever they can to support the relief effort.  From neighborhood yard sales to local small businesses donating their profits, the American Red Cross mission is fueled by these individual acts of giving which translate into help for people impacted by the disaster.  

Mayer's song, "The Heart of Life," serves as the soundtrack for the TV and radio spots – the moving song contains an optimism and belief in love with the lyrics, "pain throws your heart to the ground, love turns the whole thing around. No, it won't all go the way it should but I know the heart of life is good."  Mayer joined in the relief efforts early on, performing in January on CNN's Larry King Live special, "Haiti: How You Can Help," which raised nearly $5.8 million for the American Red Cross. Mayer was also among the first to ask people to support relief efforts in Haiti by mobilizing his fans through text messages and Twitter postings.  He has donated $500,000 via his Back to You Fund directly to the Red Cross.  

Throughout the new PSA, viewers are urged to visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP-NOW to give a donation.  The PSA will air in advertising time donated by the media.

"Terrible times like these bring out the best in people, and we are grateful for every gift given to the American Red Cross," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "We thank John Mayer for his generosity – he's lent his time, talent AND money. With his help and that of so many others, we'll do everything we can to help the people of Haiti cope and recover."

The American Red Cross has already committed nearly $78 million to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors, and is working in close coordination with other responding organizations to collaborate on long-term recovery projects in the region. The immediate focus is on providing food, clean drinking water, and distributing shelter items such as tents, tarps, sleeping mats and blankets. Efforts to date include 3 million pre-packaged meals, 4.2 million liters of clean water, and shelter items for thousands of people. In addition, the Red Cross is shipping blood products for Haitian patients, providing family linking services and Creole-speaking volunteers on board the USNS Comfort to help communicate with injured Haitians being treated on the hospital ship.

You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About John Mayer

The consistency with which John Mayer combines word craft and melody has earned him rarefied status in popular culture as a genuine and respected songwriter and musician. Since his acclaimed debut in 2001 with "Room for Squares", each release has earned John Mayer additional accolades. His discography also includes Heavier Things (2003), his work with John Mayer Trio on a live release entitled Try! (2005), Continuum (2006) and most recently, Battle Studies in 2009, which debuted at #1 in the U.S. and served as the impetus for the Battle Studies World Tour, which begins February 4, 2010. The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has earned seven Grammy Awards and sold nearly 12.5 million albums worldwide.  In May 2007, Time Magazine placed John Mayer on their Time 100 list of the most influential contemporary thinkers, leaders, artists and entertainers.

SOURCE American Red Cross