Maybe - but cash doesn't come with spirit. One can donate a million to charity for purely tax purposes - doesn't mean that the million doesn't help people. =)

An incentive is not inherently bad. Think of it this way: The prizes have already been allotted by a 3rd party. They will go to someone. Now you can make them be worth an extra $25 (or more). The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will unquestionably be better off with your donation than without, no matter what the reason.

I'd rather think that the purpose and meaning of charity is to help people, not to make yourself feel good for doing something altruistic.

Claw: Oh, please. Feeling good about what you're doing is fine, as long as it gets the job done. Which is more important, anyway: actions or intent?

I notice over $13K given so far. Good job!

I look at it this way, this is Blizzard flexing it's muscle to help those in need by offering an incentive to get donations. Penny Arcade does that with it's Children in Need auctions, too. Then there is the umpteen thousands of items in stores you can buy that give a portion to the Susan G. Komen foundation...

Also, the US government offers tax deductions when you make charitable donations...