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Organize a Blood Drive

Blood Drive Basics

Below are a few basics to get you started in organizing your blood drive.

Inside Blood Drives

Every day, Community Blood Center hosts up to four inside blood drives within a 18-county service area. Blood drives held within a sponsor's facility are good options for sponsors who have a minimum of 30 potential donors and resources for CBC to bring equipment to set up a blood drive inside. Sponsor groups are asked to provide tables, chairs, and refreshments for donors. CBC will schedule a site visit prior to the blood drive to verify adequate space for all blood collection supplies.  

The best locations are large enough to provide confidentiality for screening donors, clean, cool, provide adequate lighting, and are easily accessible. Locations need to be near restrooms and provide ample parking for blood donors.

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High School/University
Good locations are gymnasiums, student unions, auditoriums, indoor common areas, and high traffic zones

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Corporate Drives
Good locations are conference rooms, lobbies, common areas, activity centers, etc.

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Community Drives
Good locations are large open spaces such as a parish center, VFW, or gathering halls.

  

Mobile Blood Drives

Everyday CBC hosts up to three blood drives on a bus. All equipment and blood drive activity occurs on the bus. The only requirement for a sponsor group is to determine a level parking spot and access to restrooms.

This type of blood drive is ideal for groups with 20-40 donors, or who do not have adequate space to conduct an inside blood drive.

 Bloodmobile

Donor Center Blood Drives

Thumb_education_toursbldg CBC has an office located in Dayton. This site works well for small groups and individuals. The branch offers daily donation opportunities for donors to make appointments which are convenient for them. CBC also offers "Sponsorship Days," an opportunity for groups, which may not meet requirements to host blood drives at their locations to sponsor a blood drive at the branch.

 

Get ready to help save lives!

A CBC Account Representative is looking forward to working with you to plan and organize a blood drive!

Contact Us to Find Out More

 

Recruitment Tips and Strategies - Keys to Success

Work with leaders within your organization.

Successful blood drives have support from corporate management, school administrators, and pastoral roles. Find a motivated group within your organization to sponsor the blood drive and take the lead.

Plan your dates to avoid conflicts.

Check the calendar, plan ahead, and choose a blood drive date that does not conflict with major events such as holiday breaks, school-wide exams, conferences, business meetings, or other special events within your organization or community.

Set a blood drive goal.

Working with your CBC Account Representative, determine the interest level within your organization and how many people may be eligible to donate. Typically, 10% of the population will participate. For example, if you have 300 students, approx. 30 will participate in the blood drive.

Looking for other ways to be successful?

  • Organization or individuals can supply their own items for the Donor CafĂ©.
  • Create teams of ambassadors to help recruit donors for the blood drive.
  • Develop a theme for your blood drive.
  • Honor a person or individual at the blood drive.
  • Schedule the blood drive in advance and clear any potential conflicts.
  • Form recruitment teams/committees to sign up blood donors.
  • Maintain constant contact with your CBC representative.
  • People who are not eligible to give blood can help with the drive in other ways.
  • Spend time asking potential donors to participate in the blood drive face-to-face.
  • Appointments are required in order for the blood drive to run smooth.
  • CBC recommends appointments entered at least one week prior to the blood drive.
  • Use all communication channels to advertise the blood drive (emails, intranets, newspapers, bulletin boards, morning announcements, mailboxes) to publicize the blood drive.
  • Make it personal-find someone who has a special endearment for donating, and or has been personally touched by a blood donation or blood transfusion.
  • Ensure all 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 back up person for CBC to contact if there are any questions.
  • Develop 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.
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What to Expect from Everyone Involved

Sponsor

  • Finds 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. CBC asks each organization appoint to a primary and secondary chairperson.
  • Publicizes the blood drive.
  • Educates and encourages donors to schedule donation appointments via www.donortime.com.
  • Organizes a recruitment team to recruit potential donors within the organization.

Community Blood Center

  • Helps determine logistics of the blood drive including: location, hours, and type of blood drive most suitable for your organization.
  • Helps determine an appropriate blood drive goal and how many donors to expect.
  • Helps provide ideas on how to recruit donors.
  • Brings equipment and supplies to your site; sets up the blood drive and tears it down at the end.
  • Screens donors, collects donations and brings blood back to headquarters in Dayton for processing. Blood will be tested and distributed to area hospitals located in CBC's 15-county service area.

Donors

  • Donors need to be prepared to spend up to an hour to complete the entire donation process.
  • Donation appointments are recommended in advance of all blood drives via www.donortime.com.
  • Donors need to prepare for their donation by eating a well balanced meal and drink plenty of water to "hydrate" before they donate.
  • Donors need to be healthy and bring proper identification which includes a picture ID and date of birth.