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Keys to Success

Coordinating a blood drive involves dedication and is a true team effort. A Red Cross representative will work with you every step of the way. The key ingredients to a successful drive include:

Commitment –   The Red Cross commits significant resources to each drive, and each pint collected can affect up to three patients in need. It takes both personal and organizational commitment to make a drive successful and we need and count on both! Commitment is the Key to success

Support –  Your Red Cross representative will support you throughout the planning process, and is only a phone call away. It is also extremely valuable to get support from a team of volunteers in your community.

Passion – A passion for the cause is contagious. If you believe in what you are doing, you’ll pass it on to your volunteers and donors.

Motivation – An enthusiastic approach and personal outreach go a long way to making a drive successful.
 

More tips for success:

  • Get the buy-in and support from key people (e.g., upper management for businesses, the school principal or faculty advisor for schools, community leaders for community or religious organizations)
  • Form a recruitment committee to help sign up potential donors
  • Schedule the event well in advance and clear of potential conflicts
  • Maintain contact with your Red Cross representative
  • Use your organization’s main communication channels (email, intranets, newsletters, bulletin boards) to publicize the drive
  • Use volunteers to help you with the drive
  • Ask people not eligible to give blood to help you with the drive
  • Advertise, advertise, advertise
  • Give lots of encouragement to new participants
  • Ask potential donors face-to-face
  • Require scheduled appointments
  • Make it personal – find someone who has been personally touched by blood donation or blood transfusion, and ask for their help
  • Be available during the day of the drive – or have a knowledgeable back-up
  • Ensure the physical space is in proper condition (lighting, heating, cooling) in advance of the drive
  • On the day of the drive, meet the Red Cross team well before the start of the scheduled appointments
  • Contact all no-shows during the drive