Unit Blood Drive Coordinator Guidebook

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Unit Blood Drive Coordinator Guidebook
30 JAN 2003
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Planning a Blood DriveTable of Contents

• Who can donate and who benefits
• What to expect at a blood drive
• Selecting the blood drive location
• Materials you will need
• Putting together a team
• Promoting the blood drive
• The day of the blood drive
• What to do if there is a problem
• Tips for a great blood drive

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Who Can Donate?

• Military personnel
• Active Duty
• Retired
• Military family members
• Federal civilian employees
• Not everyone is eligible to donate
  (see handout)

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Who Benefits?

• The military! All blood products collected are
  used for
• Military treatment facilities
• Contingency operations
• Emergencies
• If the ASBP does not collect enough blood, the
  military must purchase products from civilian
  agencies (e.g., American Red Cross)assuming
  blood is available to purchase

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What to Expect at a Blood Drive

• Its a multi-step process
• It takes about 45 minutes for one person to go
  through the process of donating blood
• There is a potential long wait if everyone shows
  up at the same time
• Scheduling donors is the key to success

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Selecting the Blood Drive Location

• Select a room that is of adequate size to
  accommodate the equipment and beds
• Ask the blood donor staff to review new sites
• Ensure there are adequate tables (5 to 6) and
  chairs (25 to 30)
• Reserve parking for the donor teams vehicles
• Notify the recruiter if there are special
  security considerations or procedures

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Materials You Need

• Advertise with (see packet)
• Posters
• Brochures
• Flyers
• Have information about (see packet)
• Donation Process
• Donor Deferrals
• ASBP Fact Sheet
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Putting Together aRecruitment Team

• You dont have to do all the recruitment yourself
  
• You need about one recruiter for every 25 people
  you want to donate blood
• Select enthusiastic people who will be effective
  donor recruiters
• Some people cant give blood, so invite them to
  join your recruitment team

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Promoting the Blood Drive

• Advertise 2 to 3 weeks in advance
• Display flyers and posters in visible areas in
  the unit
• Hand out flyers when meeting with potential
  donors
• Recruit senior officers and enlisted personnel to
  handout brochures

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Promoting the Blood Drive(cont.)

• Contact Potential Donors
• One-on-one calls make it more personal
• Send a reminder e-mail 1 week in advance
• Send reminder e-mails both the day before and the
  day of the drive
• Schedule donors whenever possible to avoid long
  waits

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The Day of the Blood Drive

• Notify the front gate of the blood drive and when
  to expect the donor team
• Have a way to contact the donor staff and a way
  for them to contact you
• Make sure parking is reserved for donor staff
• Make sure the facility is open at least 2 hours
  prior to the blood drive

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The Day of the Blood Drive(cont.)

• Post flyers and posters in visible locations
• Entrances
• Hallways
• Stairwells
• Send out reminder e-mails
• Be available for questions during the drive
• After the drive, make sure the facility is put
  back the same way it was found

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What To Do If There Is a Problem

• Inform the blood donor recruiter if something
  conflicts with your blood drive as soon as
  possible
• If the blood drive is cancelled, see if it is
  possible to reschedule for the same week or month
• Send out e-mails of cancellation and rescheduling
  (if applicable)

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Tips How To Get More Donors

• Get a commitment from donors
• Encourage group participation
• Have groups or units compete!
• Ask donors to tell a friend and bring a friend
• Promote individual ownership and responsibility
  for giving blood
• Have your team help promote the drive
• Get your team to contact donors directly

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Tips How To Talk To Donors

• Be Personal
• Talk to potential donors and explain the
  importance of giving blood
• Be Positive
• Ask people to sign up in advance so you can meet
  your goals
• Be Prepared
• Review the FAQs so you can reassure potential
  donors
• Be Proactive
• Get a commitment from as many donors as possible

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Tips On the Day of theBlood Drive

• Create a safe and relaxing environment
• Have fun reading materials available
• Have TV or videos playing
• Have adequate seating
• Have a theme
• Keep donors informed of whats going on

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Questions

• If you have any questions about scheduling or
  conducting a blood drive, contactBlood Donor
  Recruiter at 937-257-1038