Sandisk to benefit Alzheimer's Association with purple flash storage

The success of the PRODUCT (RED) AIDS fundraising program has started to spawn imitators -- the Alzheimer's Association has picked purple as its "signature color" and SanDisk is first out the gate with a co-branded USB flash drive and SD card. The purple 2GB SanDisk Ultra II SD card and 2GB Cruzer Micro drive will retail for the same price as their non-disease-fighting counterparts, but SanDisk will donate $1 per unit to the Alzheimer's Association, up to a maximum of $1M. We're happy to see a good concept extended, but unlike the flashy (RED) devices, no one's ever going to see you flaunt that purple SD card while it's in your camera -- what will the fashionistas ever do?

[Zhalfim Deyn @ Sep 13th 2007 1:25AM]

good effort...there can never be too much money donated to curing/treating diseases...

now I need to find a place to buy a sandisk...

[Mikey @ Sep 13th 2007 1:43AM]

While I admire the effort, something tells me there could be more money donated. Its a $15-20 device...

I doubt it really costs that much to make even after packaging, retailer mark up, s&h...

[Tom @ Sep 13th 2007 1:46AM]

Good intentions aside, does anyone else find it ironic that the first product to brand itself in support of Alzheimer's research is portable memory?

[Ben @ Sep 13th 2007 2:36AM]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who found this oddly ironic.

[prttymf8 @ Sep 13th 2007 2:57AM]

I find it not only ironic but also borderline bad taste. It would be no different if Penn released a line of tennis balls benefitting testicular cancer research.

[wendy @ Sep 14th 2007 1:11PM]

I represent Sandisk. The company thought it was a good idea since they ARE A MEMORY company to support this cause!!

[anderesp @ Sep 13th 2007 1:47AM]

i wonder what the slogan will be now,

what could you possibly put in (PURPLE) for another word.

ADMI(PURPLE)


its just not catchy.

[Cementtruck @ Sep 13th 2007 9:41AM]

How about:

"More memory, for when you don't have any!"
"Capable of remembering more than you can!"

I can't believe that there isn't a marketing exec out there who didn't think of the tie-in. Memory stick - Alzheimers?

[wendy @ Sep 14th 2007 1:21PM]

This is from Sandisk

“SanDisk as a company is dedicated to preserving digital memories, so it’s appropriate for us to do what we can to help stop a disease that attacks human memory,” said Greg Rhine, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Products Division at SanDisk. “Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease – it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and, according to surveys, nearly half of all Americans know someone who has Alzheimer’s. We are pleased to support the important work of The Alzheimer’s Association.”

[zatblast @ Sep 13th 2007 2:26AM]

gotta admit i dont really care what the purple stands for nore that theres a donation being made, all i have to say is i wonder how much they edited the cruzer image, if by chance they didnt i like the purple on it lol...nice and different over the standard black and yet looks sleeker to

[JP @ Sep 13th 2007 2:53AM]

Best Buy has them on sale.

[Ramona loves pictures @ Sep 13th 2007 3:48AM]

Good to see Sandisk making an effort to help tech lovers to spend their money and help someone in the same time.

I do think a simple sticker to all flash storage models would be more practical for buyers who do not want to buy the purple one, but want to donate anyway.


Yours Sincerely.

[huh @ Sep 13th 2007 4:28AM]

Or you could just give your favourite charity $x and find the lowest cost flash memory. Don't let corporations do your charity for you.

[Neon Jebus @ Sep 13th 2007 8:42AM]

I understand where you are coming from but if people see this purple device and it gets people talking about Alzheimer's research I say it's a good thing.

Every little bit helps even if it takes some company making a buck off of it. Yellow ribbon magnets on the side of cars...ick.

[huh @ Sep 13th 2007 9:50AM]

I see where you're coming from and agree.

However, if people think buying something, that is probably overpriced due to association, is really contributing to society because it contributes $1, as opposed to the $100 or more they might contribute if they were consciously thinking about effects, it seems like a poor substitute.

[Neon Jebus @ Sep 13th 2007 10:00AM]

Seeing as they are listing them the same price as their other 2GB offerings I say no harm, no foul.

If you must drop $40 on a 2GB stick, at least see to it that $1 of it goes to a good cause. Otherwise we get back to your original point, save some money on a 2GB stick from any brand and send the difference to the Alzheimer's Association.

[Sanchez @ Sep 13th 2007 6:53AM]

I For one, welcome our prize giving overloards!

[lordofthedirectrix @ Sep 13th 2007 8:48AM]

Purple is my favorite color :D

[Brian @ Sep 13th 2007 10:25AM]

Where can you buy this? I see the memory card at Best Buy but not the flash drive??

[maxmasa31 @ Sep 13th 2007 12:39PM]

I'm buying one of the Ultra II cards. I was going to buy one anyway, and at least a $1 of my money's going to something worthwhile, instead of just lining the pockets of already rich corporate execs. Sure, it's a small amount, but like someone already mentioned, if it gets people talking and maybe even gets other companies to work with the Alzheimer's Association, then it makes it all worthwhile.

[x34 @ Sep 16th 2007 8:58PM]

Project(RED) is successful? Last I heard, they spend several time more in marketing than they actually pull in from donations. If you want to help, make a donation directly, or better yet, volunteer. It's much better than buying a status symbol that you can "feel good" about or feel smug about.

Thaaaaaaanks.