Blood Drive Basics

Below are a few basics to get you started in organizing your blood drive in honor of the 200
th

anniversary of the founding of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
There are three main options available in most areas. The first is an Inside Blood rive where
the Blood !enter sets up their e"uipment in your space# such as at a parish or college. The
second is a Mobile Blood rive where the Blood !enter sends a mobile unit and all the blood
drive activity occurs on the bus. The third option is a onor !enter Blood rive where you
sponsor and host a blood drive at the Blood !enter facility.
Inside Blood Drives
$very day# the Blood !enters hosts a number of inside blood drives within their service area.
Blood drives held within a sponsor%s facility are good options for sponsors who have a minimum
of &0 potential donors and resources for the Blood !enter to bring e"uipment to set up a blood
drive inside. 'ponsor groups are as(ed to provide tables# chairs# and refreshments for donors.
The Blood !enter will schedule a site visit prior to the blood drive to verify ade"uate space for
all blood collection supplies.
The best locations are large enough to provide confidentiality for screening donors# clean# cool#
provide ade"uate lighting# and are easily accessible. )ocations need to be near restrooms and
provide ample par(ing for blood donors.
Mobile Blood Drives
$very day the Blood !enter is out in the
community offering blood drives on a bus.
*ll blood drive activity occurs on the bus.
The only re"uirement for a sponsor group is
to determine a level par(ing spot and access
to restrooms.
This type of blood drive is ideal for groups
with 20+,0 donors# or who do not have
ade"uate space to conduct an inside blood
drive.
Donor Center Blood Drives
-our local Blood !enter may allow you to host a blood drive at
their !enter. This arrangement wor(s well for small groups and
individuals because there is no minimum number of donors
needed. This would be considered a .'ponsorship ay. in which
the Precious Blood !ommunity would sponsor the blood drive on
site and schedule donors to come in on a specific date to donate
blood in the name of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
Recruitment Tips and Strategies - Keys to Success
Work it! leaders it!in your organi"ation#
'uccessful blood drives have support from local pastor/s0# school administrators# and
parish1school organizations. 2ind a motivated group within your organization to help you
sponsor the blood drive and ta(e the lead.
$lan your dates to avoid con%licts#
!hec( the parish or school calendar# plan ahead# and choose a blood drive date that does not
conflict with ma3or events such as holiday brea(s# school+wide e4ams# conferences# meetings# or
other special events.
Set a blood drive goal#
5or(ing with your Blood !enter 6epresentative# determine the interest level within your
organization and how many people may be eligible to donate. Typically# 708 of the population
will participate.
&ooking %or ot!er ays to be success%ul'
9rganization or individuals can supply their own
items for the onor !af: li(e snac(s or handouts.
!reate teams of ambassadors to help recruit donors
for the blood drive.
!lear the date of the blood drive with any local master
calendar of events.
2orm recruitment teams1committees to sign up blood
donors.
Maintain constant contact with your Blood !enter
representative.
People who are not eligible to give blood can help
with the drive in other ways.
*s( potential donors to participate in the blood drive
face+to+face.
*ppointments are re"uired in order for the blood
drive to run smoothly.
)ocal Blood !enters recommend appointments
entered at least one wee( prior to the blood drive.
;se all communication channels to advertise the
blood drive /emails# intranets# newspapers# bulletin
boards# morning announcements# mailbo4es0 to
publicize the blood drive.
Ma(e it personal+find someone who has a special
passion for donating# and or has been personally
touched by a blood donation or blood transfusion.
$nsure that the physical space is ready in advance of
the blood drive i.e. space# lighting# heating# cooling#
tables# chairs# etc.
Be available during the day of the blood drive# or
designate a bac(+up person for the Blood !enter to
contact if there are any "uestions.
evelop a waiting list of donors to contact if your
schedule is full. These donors can be contacted during
the blood drive if there are any no+shows.
W!at to ()pect %rom (veryone Involved
Sponsor
2inds a suitable location for the blood drive and confirms availability and set+up on the
day of the blood drive.
Provides two points of contacts for the blood drive within the sponsor organization. Most
Blood !enters as( each organization to appoint a primary and secondary chairperson.
Publicizes the blood drive.
$ducates and encourages donors to schedule donation appointments.
9rganizes a recruitment team to recruit potential donors within the organization.
T!e &ocal Blood Center
<elps determine logistics of the blood drive including= location# hours# and type of blood
drive most suitable for your organization.
<elps determine an appropriate blood drive goal and how many donors to e4pect.
<elps provide ideas on how to recruit donors.
Brings e"uipment and supplies to your site> sets up the blood drive and tears it down at
the end.
'creens donors# collects donations and brings blood bac( to their head"uarters for
processing. Blood will be tested and distributed to area hospitals.
Donors
onors need to be prepared to spend up to an hour to complete the entire donation
process.
onation appointments are recommended in advance of all blood drives.
onors need to prepare for their donation by eating a well+balanced meal and drin(
plenty of water.
onors need to be healthy and bring proper identification which includes a photo I and
date of birth.