The other day I was listening to local radio station Hot 89.9 and heard a contest promo about how you can ‘Win a Baby’. Now this is the radio station geared towards the younger crowd in the city so I thought that it was some kind of clever teaser for something obscure, although I had no idea what that would be. But then I saw billboards and heard more talk on the radio and as it turns out – it’s a real ‘Win a Baby’ contest.
Well, kind of. Hot 89.9 is holding a contest where one lucky couple or person who has experienced infertility can win up to 3 fertility treatments. While ‘Win Fertility Treatments’ might not sound as scandalous as ‘Win A Baby’ it might sound a little more ethical. When I first heard about the contest I didn’t know what I thought of it, and to tell the truth I still don’t.
I went on to the website and read the fine print and saw that the winner will receive up to 3 fertility treatments to help them conceive a baby, valued at up to $35,000! When you look at it that way, this is a great contest to help someone realize their dreams of becoming a parent because obviously the cost of fertility treatments is ridiculous and so many people can’t even consider treatment due to the cost, so awesome that they might be able to win it.
But then I read on and saw that after the station chooses their top 5 finalists the public gets a chance to vote for their favourite. Here’s where I struggle – letting strangers vote on who should get fertility treatments just seems a bit – low classy to me. I mean, if someone is entering a radio contest to win fertility treatments these people desperately want a baby. Desperately. Imagine then putting yourself out there for the entire city to judge whether you are more worth of a baby than the other 4 finalists. I don’t know – I just don’t think something like this should become a popularity contest. And I do understand that the vote doesn’t decide the winner and that the ultimate decision is up to the voting panel, I just find it in poor taste.
So I still don’t know what I really think of this contest. I think good for Hot 89.9 for coming up with a contest that has caused so much attention because let’s face it – this is an advertisers dream! Good for them for giving a lucky couple the ‘chance’ at having a baby. I guess I wonder though what will happen if the winning couple isn’t successful with their fertility treatments? What if there is no baby in the end after all? Because anyone who has done fertility treatments will tell you that is a very real possibility.
What are your thoughts on the 'Win a Baby' contest?
Scene and Heard
Confessions of a Pop Culture Mummy
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