A scene in the newly released movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” may inadvertently foster a negative perception of the blood community and has prompted AABB to send a letter to executives at Sony Pictures Entertainment.

In the film, which is set in 1981, Chris Gardner — played by Will Smith — sells his blood to a collection facility in San Francisco for $20. The blood bag label, which is visible on screen, states “Volunteer Donor” when it should have been labeled “Paid Donor.” The mislabeling is a notable error given that in 1978, FDA issued a final rule requiring that blood and blood components intended for transfusion include a donor classification statement on the label indicating whether the products were collected from paid or volunteer donors. This labeling requirement appears in 21 CFR 606.121(c)(5).

The AABB letters, sent to both Sony Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and Co-chairman Amy Pascal, comments on the significance of the mislabeling. “The blood community has taken great strides over the years to ensure quality and enhance the safety of the nation’s blood supply,” it notes. The mislabeled blood bag could confuse viewers, who may interpret that the error was made by the blood bank in the movie, rather than by the filmmakers. “Such confusion may reduce the viewers’ confidence in the competency of the blood community and safety of our nation’s blood supply,” the letter states.

AABB has requested a response from Sony and has offered to discuss the issue further in an effort to help mitigate damage to the perception of the blood community. View the letters here.