Download Connecting - LifeSouth Community Blood Centers

Connecting
our donors
to our patients
ChairpersonHandbook
Your step-by-step guide to hosting a successful blood drive.
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tableofcontents
Thank You/Overview....................................................................................................................................... 1
About LifeSouth......................................................................................................................................................
2
LifeSouth Mission/Values/Vision..........................................................................................................................3
Educate
What Happens to My Blood After I Donate?.......................................................................................................4
What Is Apheresis?............................................................................................................................................. 5
What’s Your Type?...............................................................................................................................................6
O-Negative is a Big Positive.......................................................................................................................................
6
How Will My Blood Be Used?...............................................................................................................................7
Frequently Asked Questions............................................................................................................................... 8
Iron Rich Foods.................................................................................................................................................. 8
The Donation Process..........................................................................................................................................9
Fun Facts About Blood........................................................................................................................................ 9
Sickle Cell Hero Program...........................................................................................................................................
10
Marrow Registry................................................................................................................................................. 11
Cord Blood Program..............................................................................................................................................
11
Motivate
Patient Story: Hailey Jones..................................................................................................................................12
Patient Story: Karen Borden.................................................................................................................................12
Patient Story: Deniyah Jackson............................................................................................................................12
Patient Story: Hunter Turner............................................................................................................................... 12
Patient Story: Kaedyn Ballew...............................................................................................................................13
Patient Story: Scott Christmas...............................................................................................................................
13
Patient Story: Devon Vickers................................................................................................................................13
Patient Story: Ariel Khandadash......................................................................................................................... 13
Coordinate
Blood Drive Timeline ..........................................................................................................................................14
Make a Plan!.........................................................................................................................................................14
Committees: The Secret to Successful Recruitment............................................................................................15
Location, Location, Location.................................................................................................................................15
Where do I Sign Up?.............................................................................................................................................15
Setting Goals.........................................................................................................................................................15
Go Promo: Using LifeSouth’s Promotional Materials...........................................................................................16
Don’t Think You Can Give? Donor Concerns Answered........................................................................................17
The Sky’s the Limit: Blood Drive Goal Worksheet................................................................................................18
Additional Resources...........................................................................................................................................19
Planning Calendar............................................................................................................................................... 20
Planning Calendar.................................................................................................................................................21
To-Do List..............................................................................................................................................................22
Thank you!
It’s something that we can’t say enough
We know the time you take out of your busy schedule to coordinate your organization’s blood drive, and the
energy you put into making sure each one is a success. We never forget that your commitment saves countless
lives in our community.
We’ve put together this guide, to help make your blood drive run smoothly and successfully. It contains
everything you, your organization and your potential donors will need to know about blood donation.
The impact that you make each time you host a blood drive is immeasurable. Your hard work means hope, not
only for the patients in need of blood, but their loved ones as well.
If the many people touched by your efforts could express their gratitude, they would thank you for the
amazing gift made possible by your effort and commitment. LifeSouth Community Blood
Centers strives each day to connect our donors to our patients, something we could never
do without caring blood drive chairpersons like you.
Your role as a chairperson
Recruiting donors is a challenging task that we cannot accomplish without your
help. Your support as the blood drive chairperson in your organization will greatly
impact the success of the blood drive.
The best way to get
someone to donate
is to personally
ask them.
Many potential first-time donors are apprehensive about donating blood. They need
information, assurance and encouragement from you, the blood drive chairperson.
They may even be waiting for you to ask them personally to donate blood.
As the chairperson, you are a key factor in the blood drive’s success. To maximize your organization’s
contribution, a chairperson must:
Educate people on the donation process and the importance of giving blood.
Coordinate the blood drive with your LifeSouth representative.
Motivate members of your organization to participate.
Responsibilities of a Chairperson
The chairperson’s primary goal is to ensure that
each member of the donor group is personally
asked to give blood at the upcoming drive. The
group that hosts the drive is responsible for our
community’s blood supply on that given day.
A chairperson should:
• act as liaison between LifeSouth and the blood donor group
• be the main contact for blood drive details, including dates, times, and locations
• work to ensure that the blood drive goal is met to ensure a safe and adequate supply
Responsibilities of
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers’ primary
goal is to support the blood drive chairperson in
organizing and working toward a successful blood
drive. Your LifeSouth representative will:
• provide all the resources you need to recruit and achieve the blood drive’s goal, including: promotional materials, recruitment and education information, and all blood drive equipment
• ensure a safe and positive blood donation experience, with a focus on exceptional customer service in a clean and comfortable environment
1
About LifeSouth
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is a community blood supplier for local hospitals in Florida, Georgia
and Alabama. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of these hospitals in each of the
communities we serve by providing the highest quality blood components and services.
Each year, nearly five million Americans need a blood transfusion. To meet our responsibility, we need to collect
300,000 blood donations a year. That’s 836 donors a day. With 31 donor centers, 39 bloodmobiles and over 1,000
blood drives a month, our LifeSouth team is committed to making sure the blood is there when you or your family
member is in need. We are your community blood center. The blood collected from our donors directly serves the
needs of patients at over 100 medical facilities throughout the communities we serve. The blood donated here
will stay in our community for local patient transfusions. Only if our local supply is met will LifeSouth share our
blood resources with other communities.
There are no substitutes for blood. Volunteering to give blood is giving the gift of life to patients who need
transfusions. We hold this gift with the highest regard.
Florida Hospitals Served
Brooksville Regional Hospital
Citrus Memorial Health System
Crystal River Dialysis Center
Inverness Dialysis Center
Lake Butler Hospital & Hand
Surgery Center
Lake City Medical Center
Lake City VA Medical Center
Malcom Randall VA Medical Center
Nature Coast Regional Hospital
Reception and Medical Center
North Florida Regional Medical Center
Oak Hill Hospital
Putnam Community Medical Center
Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
Shands at University of Florida
Shands Lake Shore
Shands Live Oak
Shands Starke
Spring Hill Regional Hospital
Alabama Hospitals Served
Athens-Limestone Hospital
Baptist Medical Center East
Baptist Medical Center South
Birmingham AL VA Medical Center
Brookwood Medical Center
Children’s Hospital of Alabama
Chilton Medical Center
Citizens Baptist Medical Center
Community Hospital of Tallassee
Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
Coosa Valley Medical Center
Crenshaw Community Hospital
Crestwood Medical Center
Cullman Regional Medical Center
Dale Medical Center
DCH Regional Medical Center
Decatur General Hospital
East Alabama Medical Center
Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital
Elmore Community Hospital
Flowers Hospital
Hartselle Medical Center
Helen Keller Hospital
Huntsville Hospital
Infirmary West
Jackson Hospital
Lake Martin Community Hospital
Lanier Health Services
Lawrence Medical Center
Marshall Medical Center North
Marshall Medical Center South
Mizell Memorial Hospital
Mobile Infirmary Medical Center
North Baldwin Infirmary
Parkway Medical Center
Prattville Baptist Hospital
Princeton Baptist Medical Center
Providence Hospital
Randolph County Hospital
Russell Medical Center
Shoals Hospital
Southeast Alabama Medical Center
Springhill Memorial Hospital
St. Vincent’s Blount
St. Vincent’s East
St. Vincent’s Hospital
St. Vincent’s St. Clair Regional
Hospital
Thomas Hospital
Trinity Medical Center
UAB Highlands
UAB Hospital
UAB Medical West
USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital
USA Medical Center
Vaughn Regional Medical Center
Walker Baptist Medical Center
Wiregrass Medical Center
Georgia Hospitals Served
2
Atlanta Medical Center
Atlanta VA Medical Center
Chestatee Regional Hospital
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite
Emory Adventist Hospital
Emory Johns Creek Hospital
Emory University Hospital
Emory University Hospital Midtown
Fort Benning - Armed Services Blood Program
Grady Health System
Gwinnett Medical Center
Habersham County Medical Center
Henry Medical Center
North Fulton Regional Hospital
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Northside Hospital
Northside Hospital - Cherokee
Northside Hospital - Forsyth
Piedmont Hospital
Rockdale Hospital
Saint Joseph’s Health System
South Fulton Medical Center
Spalding Regional Medical Center
Sylvan Grove Hospital
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
For the most up-to-date lists of the hospitals LifeSouth serves, please visit www.lifesouth.org.
LifeSouth’s MISSION:
To provide a safe blood supply that meets or exceeds the needs in each community we serve, and to provide a
variety of services in support of ongoing and emerging blood and transfusion-related activities.
LifeSouth’s VALUES:
Safety:
We are responsible for the safety of our employees, our donors, our patients and our blood supply.
Teamwork:
We work together with mutual respect, personal integrity, a spirit of cooperation and remarkable
professionalism to meet our community’s needs.
A Difference:
We make a difference every day by connecting our donors to our patients.
Reputation:
We provide ethical, honest and courteous service to ensure the goodwill of the community.
Stewardship:
We efficiently manage our resources and our community blood supply.
LifeSouth’s VISION:
• To be a vital and prominent member of our communities known for meeting the needs of the entire community, incomparable customer service and unwavering employee excellence.
• To develop our communities’ blood supply by increasing blood donations from both new and existing blood donors and optimizing
component yields from each donation.
• To be an employer of choice by providing a work environment that continually reiterates and reinforces the value of each employee’s role and offers opportunities for employee development and growth.
• To be recognized as a provider of the safest and highest quality blood components and services
by engaging in unrelenting and continuous improvement in our methods and procedures.
3
What Happens to my Blood After I Donate?
After donation, your blood will be tested for blood type, hepatitis, HIV, HTLV and syphilis. Then, depending on
the type of donation, it can be used to treat several patients.
4
What is Apheresis?
Technology is available that can greatly enhance LifeSouth’s ability to collect the blood components that
are most needed in our community. This technology allows a donor to give one or more specific blood
components through a process called apheresis.
What is the meaning of the word?
Apheresis (pronounced ay-fer-ee-sis) is a Greek
word meaning “to separate” or “to take away.”
Blood is collected from the donor and separated
into different components in a
special machine. The components
that are needed are saved and the
other components are returned to
the donor.
How it works:
1
Apheresis
donor
1. Blood is drawn.
2. Blood is separated into
components by a centrifuge.
3. Needed components are
collected into sterile bags.
4. Unused components are
returned to the donor.
3
2
Donating through apheresis is just
as safe as donating whole blood.
4
Everything used is sterile and used
only once. Apheresis can be used to
collect any blood component. Most often, it is used to collect platelets or red blood cells.
A single apheresis donation
can provide as many platelets as
five whole blood donations.
=
Is apheresis for me?
Why do it?
Apheresis maximizes your donation by allowing more blood
components to be collected at one time. Individuals who give
platelets can also donate more frequently because their platelets
are rapidly replaced.
Apheresis donations are safer for patients. Apheresis reduces
the number of donors that one patient is “exposed to” with a
transfusion. This reduces the risk of disease and viral exposure
for the patient. When a person donates with apheresis, he or she
can give enough of a blood component to provide one or more
transfusions for a patient.
Patients have all blood types. For this reason, a steady supply of blood of all types is constantly needed to
maintain an adequate blood supply for the community. The requirements for being an apheresis donor are the
same as for a whole blood donor, except that a platelet donor must not take medications which contain aspirin
or ibuprofen for 48 hours before donating.
PLATELET
donor
Platelets are always in demand and people of
any blood type with high platelet counts (the
amount of platelets in their system) make ideal
platelet donors.
RED CELL
donor
Type O donors make ideal red cell donors. Red
cells from type O donors can be transfused to
patients of all blood types and are critical for
use in emergencies.
What can I expect during the donation process?
PLASMA
donor
People with type AB blood (fewer than 4
people in 100) are universal plasma donors;
their plasma can be safely transfused to
patients of any blood type.
During an apheresis donation, your blood flows through sterile, disposable tubing into a centrifuge. Once
separated, the needed component(s) are transferred automatically into bags. The other components are
safely returned to you. No more than 50 percent of platelets are ever extracted in one sitting, and they can be
fully replenished by the body in about three days. A platelet donation takes 90 minutes to two hours, while a
red cell or plasma donation lasts 40 minutes to one hour. During this time, you can read, watch a movie on a
personal TV screen from our DVD collections, enjoy a snack while you donate or simply sit back and relax.
5
What’s Your Type?
Because there are many different blood types with their own distinct compatibilities, it is vital that a diverse
group of blood types be available at all times. The rarest blood type is the one that’s not there when you need it!
YOU CAN RECEIVE:
If you have:
O- O+ B- B+ A- A+ AB- AB+
AB+
ABA+
AB+
BO+
O-
*Check the Donor Kiosk at www.lifesouth.org after you
donate to find out your blood type.
Blood Types by Population
1% AB6%
O-Negative is a Big Positive
A-
What’s so special about type 0 negative blood? It is referred
to as the “universal blood type.” This means that it can be
transfused to patients of any blood type.
6
34%
A+
2%
B-
7%
OAB+
O+
• Because newborns carry their own blood type as well as traces of their mother’s blood type, they can only be safely transfused with type O negative blood.
• Type O negative blood is also given to trauma patients in need of emergency transfusions.
B+
38%
• It is in the highest demand, but only 7 percent of the
population has it.
9%
3%
Uses for Blood
How Will My Blood Be Used?
4%
Obstetrics/
Gynecological
15%
At least one of every seven patients who enters a hospital
will need a blood transfusion. The nation’s blood supply
comes mainly from volunteer blood donors. To meet the
daily demand for blood, more than 38,000 units of blood
are needed every day.
Gastrointestinal
blood loss
15%
Patients undergoing surgery are one of the leading users of
blood. Patients with cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal
disease and trauma also require blood transfusions. Patients
often need more than one unit, so donors should give more
than just once a year. If every regular donor gave just once
more per year, there would be no blood shortages.
13%
Hereditary,
nutritional and other
anemias
11%
Cardiac
18%
Leukemia, Bone
Marrow and
Cancer
Other Surgery
14%
Orthopedic
and Urologic
Surgery
12%
Trauma
trauma patients
• up to 50 units of red blood cells
heart surgery patients
• up to 6 units of red blood cells
• up to 6 units of platelets
Molly Moses
trauma patient
57 units of red blood cells
cancer patients
• up to 8 units of platelets per week
Dylan Kinsey, with mother Christine
cancer patient/25 platelet transfusions
15 red blood cell transfusions
marrow transplant recipients
• up to 20 units of red blood cells
• up to 120 units of platelets
sickle cell anemia patients
Devon Vickers
leukemia patient
cord blood transplant
• up to 4 units of red blood
cells per treatment
7
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to donate blood?
A: For a whole blood donation, donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 year olds may donate
with written parental permission), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in general good health.
Donors must wait 56 days between whole blood donations. Elderly people may donate blood
if they meet all donation criteria. There are some medical conditions that can keep you from
giving blood. These requirements are set by federal (FDA), state, local health agencies, and the
American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). Your LifeSouth representative can provide you with
an up-to-date list of conditions that may affect one’s ability to donate, including:
- medical conditions
- medications
- immunizations
- travel outside the U.S.
- acupuncture
- piercings/ tattoos
Iron-Rich Foods
Please be sure to eat at your regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids.
You may want to take iron supplements a few days before your donation
or eat foods rich in iron. Some iron-rich foods include:
• Spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes
• Beans (lima beans, soybean sprouts, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, etc.)
• Bran cereal, whole wheat bread, white rice
• Cocoa, brown sugar
• Raisins, dried apricots, peaches
• Nuts (especially black walnuts, almonds and cashews)
• Oysters, clams, scallops and shrimp
• Wheat germ and wheat, rice or corn flakes, brewer’s yeast
• Prune juice, apple juice
• Red meats, liver, chicken
• Vitamin C (citrus fruits, peppers, potatoes, kiwi, papaya, mango)
Avoid drinking excessive amounts of tea due to the caffeine and
tannic acid content and carbonated beverages that contain a high
content of caffeine.
8
Q: How will I feel after
the donation?
A: Most people feel
absolutely fine,
especially if they’ve
eaten regular meals
before donating.
Drinking lots of fluids
for 48 hours after
the donation will
help alleviate any
unexpected aftereffects. Be sure to
refrain from strenuous
exercise for at least 24
hours after donating.
Q: Is it true I can get
AIDS if I give blood?
A: NO. You cannot
get AIDS or any other
infectious diseases
by giving blood.
The materials used
during your donation,
including the needle,
are new, sterile,
disposable and only
used one time for your
blood donation.
The Donation Process
Are you wondering what to expect at your donation? Although the actual blood donation takes
only a few minutes, the entire process may take about an hour.
Steps:
Registration
• Present your photo ID
• Read information provided
Donation Process:
Health History
• Provide basic demographic and health information
• Answer questions about past and present health history
• Undergo mini-physical (temperature and hemoglobin level)
Hydration Station
• Drink water (at least 16 oz.) prior to your donation
Whole Blood
Donation
How Long?
5 minutes
15
minutes
5 minutes
• Sit in a comfortable chair
• Once needle is in place, squeeze a ball to keep the blood flowing (it usually takes less than 10 minutes to collect a unit of blood)
• Occasionally, it may be necessary to lower the upper part of your cot and/or raise your legs
• Complete donation, after which the needle will be removed and a bandage applied
Apheresis Donation
• Donating apheresis means you will follow the same process as whole blood donors; however, it takes from 60 to 90 minutes
Rest and Relaxation
• Sit and relax for at least 10 minutes to have a snack and a drink
After Donation
• All done! Enjoy your day, you’ve earned it! You helped save a life!
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for a few hours
• If you feel lightheaded, lie down immediately until you feel better
20
minutes
60-90 minutes
(apheresis only)
10 minutes
Facts About Blood
• There is no substitute for human blood.
• 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion each year.
• 43,000 pints: amount of donated blood used each day in the U.S. and Canada.
• Someone needs blood every two seconds.
• Only 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood – less than 10 percent do annually.
• About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood.
• One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
• Healthy adults who are at least 17 and weigh 110 pounds may donate about a pint of blood every 56 days (eight weeks).
• 16-year-olds may donate with written parental permission.
• 94 percent of blood donors are registered voters.
• Four main red blood cell types: A, B, AB and O. Each can be positive or negative for the Rh factor.
• AB positive is the universal recipient; O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells.
• One unit of blood can be processed into several individual components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.
• Donated red blood cells can be stored for 42 days, platelets for five days. Frozen plasma can be stored for one year.
• Much of today’s medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.
• Shortages of all types happen during the summer and winter holidays, especially types O and B red blood cells.
• If only one more percent of all Americans would give blood, blood shortages would disappear for the foreseeable future.
9
Donor Diversity:
the key to life
The Sickle Cell Hero Program
Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder that affects the red blood cells.
Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the air in our lungs to all parts of our body.
Normal disc-shaped red blood cells contain hemoglobin A. Persons who have Sickle
Cell Disease have red blood cells that lack hemoglobin A and contain hemoglobin
S. Red blood cells with hemoglobin S tend to change to a sickle shape, making it
difficult for them to pass through tiny blood vessels.
Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease range from fatigue and breathlessness to
severe pain that comes with the swelling of joints, hands and feet. Stroke,
liver disease and delayed growth are just a few of the complications.
Sickle Cell Disease is one of the most common genetic diseases in the
U.S., affecting 70,000 people. Approximately two million Americans and
one in twelve African-Americans carry the sickle trait, occuring in one in
every 500 African-American births.
“Life is so precious and
taken for granted until
something causes you to
pause and take account of
what’s really important.”
What is a Sickle Cell Hero?
Sickle cell patients may need many transfusions in a lifetime, some as
frequently as every four weeks. However, multiple blood transfusions
can cause complications. To reduce complications,
finding donors whose blood types more precisely
Sickle
match these patients is crucial. We call these
Cell
donors Sickle Cell Heroes. They save the lives of
HERO
those affected by the disease and greatly reduce
the negative effects of the multiple transfusions
patients need to survive.
�
How do donors find out if they are a Sickle Cell Hero?
It’s easy! When donors give blood with LifeSouth Community Blood
- Tina Kay Hughes
Sickle Cell patient and blood recipient Centers, their blood will be tested to see if they are a special match for
a patient with Sickle Cell Disease. Since matches are much more likely
to be found within a patient’s own ethnic group, African-American
donors may be the best hope for patients with Sickle Cell Disease. Diversity is the key to successfully
matching blood donors to the patients who need them.
How does it work?
Donors will be notified immediately if their blood matches a patient in need. When the blood is paired
with a sickle cell patient, all of the donor’s donations with LifeSouth will go directly to that patient.
Because the blood they receive will come from their specially matched Sickle Cell Hero, the possibility
of complications or reactions to their blood transfusions will be much lower. This can mean more
successful treatment, and eventually, even fewer transfusions may be needed. You have the power to
improve the life and health of someone suffering from sickle cell disease.
10
Racially and ethnically diverse donors are urgently needed.
For a successful transfusion or transplant, the blood or tissue type of a marrow donor or a cord blood unit
needs to match the patient's as closely as possible. These types are inherited, so patients are more likely
to match someone who shares their racial or ethnic heritage. Patients from racially or ethnically diverse
communities often have a harder time finding a match.
Be The Match Registry
Ask your LifeSouth representative
about making the Be The Match Registry
a part of your blood drive.
What is a marrow transplant?
Bone marrow transplant is a lifesaving treatment for people with leukemia, lymphoma and many other diseases.
Patients undergo chemotherapy or radiation to destroy their diseased marrow. Then a donor’s healthy bloodforming cells are given directly into the
patient’s bloodstream, where they can begin
to function and multiply.
For a patient’s body to accept these cells, they
need a donor who is a close match. Seventy
percent of patients do not have a donor in
their family and depend on the Be The Match
Registry to find an unrelated donor.
What are the age requirements for
marrow donation?
Marrow donors must be between 18 and 60.
Does race or ethnicity affect matching?
Patients are most likely to match someone
of their own race or ethnicity. Adding more
diverse members increases the likelihood
that all patients will find a life-saving match.
How do I become a marrow donor?
Complete a registration form and a signed
agreement. Then, give a cheek swab so your
tissue type can be tested. Doctors around the world search the registry to find a match for their patients.
The Cord Blood Program
Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born.
It can be used to treat patients with life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, leukemia
or sickle cell disease. Many of these diseases can actually be cured with a cord blood
transplant. LifeCord is LifeSouth Community Blood Centers’ cord blood bank.
How is cord blood donated?
Talk with your doctor or midwife about your decision to donate. Then, contact LifeCord
if donation is an option at your hospital. After the delivery of your baby, the umbilical
cord and placenta are no longer needed. If you choose to donate, the blood remaining in
the umbilical cord and placenta will be collected and tested. The collection procedure
is painless and does not interfere with the normal birthing process. Cord blood that
meets testing criteria will be stored until needed by a patient.
Is there any cost for donation?
There is no cost for donating cord blood to a public cord blood bank, such as LifeCord.
By donating cord blood, you can save the life of a patient in need of a transplant.
For more information on marrow donation or the LifeCord program, visit www.lifesouth.org.
“Joshua is a living
example that
it really helps.
My friends and
relatives know how
Josh was saved.”
- Gea Ibarrientos
mother of 12-year-old
Josh, leukemia patient and
cord blood recipient
11
Patient stories are a very effective way to help your staff and coworkers
understand why they need to donate blood. They also convey the
overwhelming impact their donations have on patients and their loved ones.
Hailey Jones
leukemia patient
multiple
transfusions of
red blood cells
and platelets
“She is the one who makes
everybody else laugh and
keeps them strong.”
-Amber Lavender, Hailey’s mother
“When I tell people that
donating blood saves lives,
that’s not just a line. I’m living
proof of that.”- Karen Borden
Deniyah Jackson
sickle cell disease
patient
multiple
transfusions of
red blood cells
ulcer/surgical
patient
multiple
transfusions of
red blood cells
“I pray for the people who
give blood. Without them,
Deniyah would be suffering
in pain.” - Deniyah’s mother Tameka Hagins
“I didn’t want it to be about
me. If I could help others,
that was great. I just wanted
to make a difference.”
-Hunter Turner, on chairing a blood drive at his high school
12
Karen Borden
Hunter Turner
leukemia patient/
blood drive
chairperson
multiple transfusions
of red blood cells
and platelets
Visit the Host a Drive/Chairperson Tools section of www.lifesouth.org for
full, printable versions of these patient stories and more.
Kaedyn Ballew
leukemia patient
multiple
transfusions of red
blood cells and
platelets
“The blood Kaedyn used was
donated before he even got
to the hospital. Donating is a
good thing all around.”
- Nic Ballew, Kaedyn’s father
“I’ve come full circle. Life is
good and I have an amazing little
girl who’s my heart and soul,
thanks to 53 strangers who gave
me the gift of life!” - Scott Christmas
Devon Vickers
leukemia patient
cord blood
transfusion
Scott Christmas
trauma patient
multiple
transfusions of red
blood cells and
platelets
“I definitely would love to
have the opportunity to thank
the mother and child who
donated cord blood.” - Devon Vickers
“This is sheer proof that
there are people out there
looking out for you.”
- Ariel Khandadash
Ariel Khandadash
Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma patient
multiple transfusions
of red blood cells
and platelets
13
60 days
prior
Assemble a
committee
to help
obtain
employee
signups.
Visit www.lifesouth.org for a personalized timeline for your drive.
3-4 weeks
prior
3 weeks
prior
Meet with
your LifeSouth
representative
and create a
recruitment
plan.
Email
electronic
blood
drive "save
the date"
to your
employees.
2 weeks prior
Post signup sheet in one location where
people can choose a time to donate.
Hang posters in key areas. If using
payroll stuffers, deliver to your
accounting department.
Put 1/2 page flyers in employee
mailboxes or on desks. Place table tents
on breakroom tables.
Circulate signup sheet or email
available slots to employees.
5 days prior
Send your
organization’s
final signup
sheet to your
LifeSouth
representative.
BLOOD DRIVE
Blood Drive Timeline
Make a Plan!
It’s not easy to persuade people to donate blood. But helping people understand that donating blood saves lives
and makes a real difference may be your chance to turn a potential donor into a pledged donor.
Explain why blood is needed.
• Often, people may not realize the need for donated blood and blood components is serious.
• Tell potential donors about the shortage, and help them understand why it’s such a critical issue. Use facts to support your communications. Explain how
one donation can help up to three people.
• Educate your organization on blood and what each component does.
• Ask donors on a one-to-one basis so that everyone
has been offered the opportunity to give.
Make presentations during meetings.
• If you feed them they will come. Make it a potluck!
• Have a member of your organization share how the need for blood has touched their life.
• Ask a LifeSouth representative to speak to your group about the importance of blood donation.
Get in touch.
Make it fun!
• Turn your blood drive into an event. Discuss potential blood drive themes with your group. LifeSouth has decorations and can turn your drive into a fun, festive atmosphere that will draw donors.
• Maximize the use of your organization’s intranet, email, newsletters, bulletin boards, etc. to promote
the blood drive. Display pledge forms, posters, and
flyers in high-traffic areas such as break, lunch and conference rooms, restrooms, lobbies and elevators.
• Raise awareness by sponsoring a friendly competition among various groups within the organization to generate interest and increase participation.
Help them overcome their fears.
• To the best of your abilities, put your potential donors’ minds to rest by arming them with the facts and helping them put their fears in perspective.
• If a potential donor is afraid of fainting, explain that eating before donation and drinking fluids after can help eliminate light-headedness. If a potential
donor is concerned about catching a disease, explain
that all equipment is sterile and is used only once.
• Create tactics that will encourage your group to sign up.
• Get your committee to call
Offer recognition.
everyone in the organization.
Sometimes being recognized is enough. But
(Make it a party; many hands
make light work).
DRESS CODE you can also find creative ways to show
appreciation for your donors. Try offering
• Email donor testimonials. Include info on
VIOLATION dress-down
passes or enter donors into a
how much blood your community uses every
raffle
for
extended
breaks or vacation time.
day, week or month.
14
Committees: The Secret to Successful Recruitment
Purpose: A committee is created to ensure that every employee within the organization is asked to participate
in the blood drive.
Your role: Steering the committee and being the main contact between LifeSouth and your organization is key.
How do I create one? Start by asking for volunteers. The goal is to have a representative from each department.
Senior management should be well represented. There should be a minimum of one committee member for every
100 employees.
How do I use the committee? Work with your LifeSouth representative to organize a meeting with your
committee. The purpose is to create a plan that ensures every group member is asked to give blood.
Location, Location, Location!
Work with your LifeSouth representative to determine whether your blood drive will be held inside your
building, or outside (on a bloodmobile).
If a room is available, an inside setup (called a “SEBRA”) has
proven the most beneficial, convenient and comfortable for
donors. When designating a room for a blood drive, keep in
mind that it should have:
• multiple electrical outlets
• an area where donors can sit, relax and have post-donation snacks
If using a bloodmobile, it should be parked on a flat surface in
a high-traffic area that is convenient for potential donors.
Where Do I Sign Up?
It’s very important to secure an appointment from every donor.
• Appointments provide a more accurate number of donors expected on the day of your blood drive, and this helps the blood center ensure that the appropriate level of staff and equipment will be sent to your blood drive. LifeSouth staffing is based on the number of donors the blood drive is projecting to attract.
• An appointment reaffirms your employee’s commitment to donate and it helps decrease the number of “no-shows” or cancellations. Remind scheduled donors of the location, date, and time of their appointments.
• Schedule donor appointments based on your employees’ stated time preferences and type of donation, but keep the schedule level, cutting back at meal breaks.
• Encourage signups by giving out recognition items (stickers, candy, buttons, etc.).
Setting Goals
On the day of your blood drive, your organization is responsible for the community’s blood supply. (Your
LifeSouth representative can tell you the current daily blood needs for your community’s hospitals).
Ideally, your group’s blood drive should have a minimum of two donors per hour.
On average, at least 25 percent of the donor group will participate in the blood drive. About 20% of these
individuals will be deferred (not permitted to donate) from giving at the drive. So if you have 100 employees,
you can reasonably expect 25 people to sign up. More than likely, five will be deferred and in the end you can
expect 20 donors to donate.
15
See page 18 for our handy Blood Drive Goal worksheet.
Go Promo!
Getting information out early and constantly reminding potential donors about your blood drive is essential.
• Your LifeSouth representative can provide you with many different types of materials to help you promote your blood drive. Each item has a blank space to add personal details about your blood drive including date, time and location.
• You can also send out email flyers as a reminder of the blood drive. Include personal touches, such as an internal story from an employee blood donor or the current blood needs.
• If you would like a certain type of promotional material not seen here, just ask your LifeSouth representative! We welcome any ideas that would contribute to the success of your blood drive. We can create all types of materials to suit your individual needs.
Do something amazing. Save a life in your community.
Do something amazing.
Save a life in your community.
Please give blood.
Posters and flyers hang
in high traffic areas
(elevators, bathrooms,
breakrooms, copy room).
Please give blood.
Please donate blood.
South
CommunityBloodCenters
Do something amazing.
Save a life in your community.
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate with written parental consent) weigh
110 pounds or more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition item and a cholesterol
screening. For more information, call (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Do something amazing. Save a life in your community.
Please give blood.
Please give blood.
Payroll stuffers are
Donor pledge cards
the perfect size to
give your employees
include
along with
the opportunity to
your employees’
be contacted about South
paychecks
or to put
specific blood needs,
Do something amazing. Save a life in your community.
in employee mail
different ways to give
Please
give blood.
boxes
or newsletters
blood and making
as a reminder of an
appointments to
upcoming
blood drive.
donate blood.
Please donate blood.
CommunityBloodCenters
Com
u nC
Cm
om
mi otuymnBm
il to
Please donate blood.
South
CommunityBloodCenters
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may
donate with written parental consent) weigh 110
pounds or more and show I.D. All donors receive a
recognition item and a cholesterol screening.
For more information, call toll-free (888) 795-2707
or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Please donate blood.
Please donate blood.
South
CommunityBloodCenters
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate with written parental consent) weigh
110 pounds or more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition item and a cholesterol
screening. For more information, call (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
South
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate with written
parental consent) weigh 110 pounds or more and show I.D. All donors
receive a recognition item and a cholesterol screening.
For more information, call (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
CommunityBloodCenters
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate with written parental consent) weigh
110 pounds or more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition item and a cholesterol
screening. For more information, call (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Do something amazing. Do something amazing.
Save a life in your community. Save a life in your community.
Please give blood. Please give blood.
CommunityBloodCenters
South
Clams
Oysters
Mussels
Beef Liver
Beef
Shrimp
Sardines
Turkey
Enriched
cereals
Cooked beans
and lentils
CommunityBloodCenters
South
Please donate blood.
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate
with written parental consent) weigh 110 pounds or
more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition
item and a cholesterol screening. For more info, call
(888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Clams
Oysters
Mussels
Beef Liver
Beef
Shrimp
Pumpkin seeds
Canned beans
Baked potato
Enriched pasta
Asparagus
Raisins
Sardines
Turkey
Enriched
cereals
Cooked beans
and lentils
Pumpkin seeds
Canned beans
Baked potato
Enriched pasta
Asparagus
Raisins
Blood bank regulations require that we screen
every blood donor’s hemoglobin level. Here
are some iron-rich foods that will increase the
chance that you will qualify for a blood donation
on your next visit.
Raising your Iron:
Raising your Iron:
First, you show a photo I.D and a donor
technician completes your computer
registration. Then you answer questions
relating to your medical history. A brief “miniphysical” tests your blood pressure, the iron
content of your blood, your temperature, and
pulse. The actual bl0od donation only lasts
between four minutes and eight minutes.
First, you show a photo I.D and a donor
technician completes your computer
registration. Then you answer questions
relating to your medical history. A brief “miniphysical” tests your blood pressure, the iron
content of your blood, your temperature, and
pulse. The actual bl0od donation only lasts
between four minutes and eight minutes.
please print legibly
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________________________________________________
Best Time to Contact: _____________________________________________________________________
Please donate blood.
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate
with written parental consent) weigh 110 pounds or
more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition
item and a cholesterol screening. For more information,
C o m m u n i t y B l o o d C e n t e r s call (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
South
Please give blood.
South
Table tents are
displayed on tabletops
and feature handy
donation information
on the back.
Please give blood.
Do something amazing.
Do something amazing.
The Donation Process:
The
Process:
Save a life in your community.
Save a life
inDonation
your community.
Do something amazing.
Do something amazing.
The Donation Process:
The
Process:
Save a life
in your community.
Save a life
inDonation
your community.
First, you show a photo I.D and a donor
Please give blood.
technician completes your computer
registration. Then you answer questions
relating to your medical history. A brief “miniphysical” tests your blood pressure, the iron
content of your blood, your temperature, and
pulse. The actual bl0od donation only lasts
between four minutes and eight minutes.
Please donate blood.
South
CommunityBloodCenters
16
First, you show a photo I.D and a donor
technician completes your computer
registration. Then you answer questions
relating to your medical history. A brief “miniphysical” tests your blood pressure, the iron
content of your blood, your temperature, and
pulse. The actual bl0od donation only lasts
between four minutes and eight minutes.
Raising your Iron:
Blood bank regulations require that we screen
every blood donor’s hemoglobin level. Here
are some iron-rich foods that will increase the
chance that you will qualify for a blood donation
on your next visit.
Blood bank regulations require that we screen
every blood donor’s hemoglobin level. Here
are some iron-rich foods that will increase the
chance that you will qualify for a blood donation
on your next visit.
Clams
Oysters
Mussels
Beef Liver
Beef
Shrimp
Clams
Oysters
Mussels
Beef Liver
Beef
Shrimp
Pumpkin seeds
Canned beans
Baked potato
Enriched pasta
Asparagus
Raisins
Sardines
Turkey
Enriched
cereals
Cooked beans
and lentils
Pumpkin seeds
Canned beans
Baked potato
Enriched pasta
Asparagus
Raisins
Email: ________________________________________________________________________________
Last four digits of SS#: ________________________________________
Please donate blood.
South
CommunityBloodCenters
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate
with written parental consent) weigh 110 pounds or
more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition
item and a cholesterol screening. For more info, call
(888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
South
LSID: (Internal Use Only) __________________________________
Type of donation: o Whole Blood
o Apheresis
o Double Red
CommunityBloodCenters
Connecting our donors to our patients
Do something amazing.
Save a life in your community.
Please give blood.
Yes, I pledge to donate blood.
please print legibly
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________
June 23, 2009
Public Service Announcement
Phone: _________________________________________________________________________________
Best Time to Contact: _____________________________________________________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________________
Contacts:
Michael Smith, Branch Director
(205) 943-8215
[email protected]
Last
Please donate blood.
January
13, four
2009digits of SS#: ________________________________________
Date of Birth:
For Immediate
Release(XX/XX/XXXX) _______________________________
Press releases
and public service
announcements can be
sent to local media to
promote drives that are
open to the public.
LSID: (Internal Use Only) __________________________________
Donate
Contacts:
Michael Smith, Branch Director
(205)
943-8215 o Whole Blood [email protected]
Type of
donation:
o Apheresis o Double Red
South
Blood in Paradise
Every day LifeSouth Community Blood Centers needs over 1000 units of blood for the hospitals
CommunityBloodCenters
we serve.
This summer, bring paradiseConnecting
to those in
and
getpatients
a chance at your own tropical
Brewing some good for the Birmingham
community
ourneed
donors
to our
getaway by donating blood during the Reform Community, Donors in Paradise blood drive on
7/20/2010 9:53:54 AM
Birmingham, Ala. – Starbucks is giving the community a chance
to give
back
being
bloodto 5 p.m.
Friday,
July
17by
from
11aa.m.
Generic Give Blood Pledge Card.indd 1
and bone marrow donor. On Thursday, January 22, Starbucks is joining LifeSouth Community
Blood Centers in hosting a blood and marrow drive from 8 a.m.The
to 5 p.m.
blood drive, sponsored by Fred’s Pharmacy, will be held in the pharmacy parking lot,
located at 609 1st Avenue West in Reform.
The drive will be held at the Brookwood Medical Center, located at 2010 Brookwood Medical
Center Drive and at Starbucks in Brookwood. There will also be sign-ups for other community
All donors will be entered to win a $500 travel voucher and a $50 Fred’s gift certificate. Donors
events in the area.
will also receive a recognition item and a complimentary cholesterol screening. Donors must be
least 16
old, weigh
110 pounds or more, and show a photo I.D. at the time of donation.
Donors will receive a recognition item, coffee samples, a freeatbrewed
cupyears
of Starbucks
coffee
and a parking voucher from LifeSouth. Donors may also register
to win an Ipod shuffle
gift written parental consent. For more information, please call tollSixteen-year-old
donorsand
require
basket.
free (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Please
donate
blood.
Please
donate
blood.
Please
donate
blood.
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate
with written parental consent) weigh 110 pounds or
more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition
item and a cholesterol screening. For more info, call
(888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Please donate blood.
Date of Birth: (XX/XX/XXXX) _______________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Please give blood.
Raising your Iron:
Sardines
Turkey
Enriched
cereals
Cooked beans
and lentils
Please give blood.
Yes, I pledge to donate blood.
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Blood bank regulations require that we screen
every blood donor’s hemoglobin level. Here
are some iron-rich foods that will increase the
chance that you will qualify for a blood donation
on your next visit.
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate
with written parental consent) weigh 110 pounds or
more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition
item and a cholesterol screening. For more information,
C o m m u n i t y B l o o d C e n t e r s call (888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Do something amazing.
Save a life in your community.
Please donate blood.
Please
d
Please
dona
Pleas
Donors must be 17 or older, (16-year-olds may donate
with written parental consent) weigh 110 pounds or
more and show I.D. All donors receive a recognition
item and a cholesterol screening. For more info, call
(888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Please donate blood.
Half flyers can be
handed out to
employees.
Donors will receive a recognition item and complimentary cholesterol screening. Donors must
So come unwind and experience the relaxation of saving lives at LifeSouth’s Donors in Paradise.
be at least 16 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and show a photo I.D. at the time of
donation. Sixteen-year-olds require written parental consent. For more information, please call
(888) 795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
TIME: 30 SECONDS
Join Starbucks at Brookwood and LifeSouth as they give back to the community.
LifeSouth provides blood components to 52 medical facilities in Alabama, and is the primary
provider for Shelby BMC, Brookwood, St. Vincent’s East, Cooper Green, and Coosa Valley.
LifeSouth is the secondary provider to the following hospitals: UAB Metro West, BMC
Princeton, Trinity Medical Center, Birmingham VA, Carraway, Children's Hospital, DCH
Tuscaloosa, UAB Highlands, St. Vincent's, Citizen's BMC, Riverview, and Walker Baptist.
These hospitals require an average of 700 units of blood each week to meet patient transfusion
needs.
###
Think You Can’t Give?
Donor Concerns Answered
One-on-one conversations are the most effective way to recruit donors.
Be sure you really listen to potential donor concerns and address them
as best as possible. If they have questions you can’t answer, ask your
blood center representative and be sure to get back with an answer
as soon as possible. Some people are hesitant to donate only because
they have unanswered questions.
“I’m afraid of needles.”
No one likes needles, but people donate blood because it saves lives. It’s
a small thing to do that makes a lifesaving difference.
Encourage staff to visit
www.lifesouth.org and to
ask us if they are eligible.
“You don’t want mine.”
Are you sure? If you haven’t asked recently, please ask again. Blood banking is just like
medicine and there are constant updates and changes, so depending on what the reason was,
you might be able to donate now.
“I’m on medication.”
You’d be surprised at the number of medications you can take and still donate. Please ask.
“I have diabetes/high blood pressure/high cholesterol.”
Donors with diabetes are eligible to donate. Donors with elevated cholesterol are eligible as long
as there is no associated history of vascular disease. Blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering
medications do not prohibit donation.
“I’m anemic.”
Are you seeing a doctor for chronic anemia and taking daily iron supplements? If not, anemia
can fluctuate from day to day and from finger to finger. Your iron will be checked before you
donate blood.
“I’m afraid I will faint or pass out.”
Have you done that before? If you haven’t, let me assure you that you should be fine, as long
as you pass the mini-physical and have eaten in the past three hours.
“What is the rarest type of blood?”
The rarest type of blood is the type you don’t have when you need it.
“I had a body piercing in the past year.”
The requirements have changed. As long as you had it done under sterile conditions, you can give.
“I don’t have time.”
Please take the time to help save others. Without healthy people like you taking the time to
donate blood, many patients would not survive.
“I’ll give blood when someone I know needs it.”
Blood cannot be made available for patients’ use until it has been tested and processed, so it
might be too late for that person.
17
The Sky’s the Limit!
Blood Drive Goal Worksheet
Use the charts below to keep track of your organization’s blood drive goals and results.
Drive Date
Goal Signups
Drive Date
Goal Signups
Notes: _________________________________________
18
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Additional Resources
Looking for more tools and information to
build a great blood drive?
Visit
www.lifesouth.org
for
everything you and your organization need from
drive planning to post-donation.
Check out the Chairperson Tools section to:
• print customizable blood drive promotional materials
• download educational programs
• share ideas in the Chairperson Forum
• help us improve by taking our Chairperson Survey
Has a member of your organization missed the
blood drive, but would still like to give?
At www.lifesouth.org, you can:
• find a mobile blood drive near you
• find your nearest LifeSouth donor center
and view hours of operation
• make an appointment to donate blood
Donors can access all their post-donation information at our
handy Donor Kiosk, including:
• cholesterol results from all previous donations
• blood type
• next eligible date to give blood
Five Points of Life: Five ways to share life with others.
POINTS
Five Points of Life raises awareness for the five ways to share life with
of
others through the donation of blood, apheresis, marrow, cord blood, organ
and tissue. The program works with blood centers, organ procurement
organizations, marrow registries and community organizations to educate
citizens about donation. The goal of the program is to encourage every
eligible donor to give blood, join the marrow registry, talk to their family about organ donation and learn
more about cord blood donation. In addition, the program strives to educate youth on the importance of
donation so when they are eligible, they will donate and become the “Donation Generation.”
LIFE
The Five Points of Life program provides a curriculum for K-12 on the science and social responsibility of
donation. In addition, the program hosts Kids Marathons across the Southeast. Ask your recruiter today
about how to incorporate the Five Points of Life at your blood drive.
For more information, go to www.fivepointsoflife.org.
Stay connected:
19
Use this handy calendar, along with the week-by-week planning guide to organize upcoming blood drives.
20
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
12 Weeks Prior:
Meet with your LifeSouth
representative and agree
on the date of the drive,
drawing hours, parking
arrangements, promotional
materials and other details.
Three and four weeks prior:
Your LifeSouth representative
should deliver all promotional
materials so that you can begin
to publicize the drive. Enlist
the aid of your committee(s) to
help spread the word.
Two weeks prior:
Continue to promote the
drive using public relations
materials and word-of-mouth.
Offer to answer any questions
your employees may have
about the donation process.
One week prior:
Your LifeSouth representative
will be in touch with you
to discuss any last-minute
adjustments, signup numbers,
and any additional support or
materials you may need.
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
21
To-Do List:
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22
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