Why should my group sponsor a blood drive?
Your company, church or other organization can help us save lives. By sponsoring a blood drive at your site, you can make blood donation convenient and provide essential support to patients right here in your community. Most of us will need a blood transfusion at some point in our lives. That means that you or your family, friends and co-workers might need the support of volunteer blood donors.
What are the requirements for having a blood drive?
To ensure a successful and productive blood drive, here are a few suggestions to make things go as smoothly as possible. You should survey members of your organization to make sure there is interest in supporting a blood drive at your location. But, please remember that the enthusiasm and organizational skills of the blood drive coordinator are the biggest keys to success!  |
| Coordinate the date and time of your drive with an account manager at Virginia Blood Services. | | |
| Arrange with your VBS account manager to advertise your blood drive with posters. We will help you tell as many people as you can about your blood drive! | | |
| Circulate sign-up sheets as early as possible to sign-up potential donors. These sheets are very important as they help us to staff your blood drive correctly and allow us to process all of your donors as quickly as possible. | | |
| About one week prior to your blood drive, confirm your sign-ups. | | |
| Make final arrangements for your blood drive site location and confirm with your VBS account manager. | | |
| Be available during the blood drive to answer questions and encourage extra donors who may not have signed up. |
Please use these blood drive coordinator materials to help recruit donors:
56 facts about blood
A typical day at a major medical center
Automated red cell donation - questions and answers
Automated red cell donation - double your reasons to give
Blood donation eligibility criteria - introduction
Blood testing by VBS
Can I give blood?
Facts about giving blood
Hospitals served by VBS
How to recruit donors
Menu of materials
Newsletter briefs
Platelet donation - saving lives doesn't get any easier
Platelet donation - questions and answers
Save a life in an hour
Some facts about blood type
The importance of blood donation
The importance of scheduling blood donor appointments
The role of VBS in organ transplants
Top ten reasons to donate blood
VBS donor centers
VBS facts
VBS history
VBS mission statement
Why donating blood is important and why you should do it
Why you are needed
Where can I hold my blood drive?
Your site will either be held inside or using one of our bloodmobiles. For a drive in your office or other building, you will need: | |
| A large (typically about 900 square feet), well ventilated room with heat and air conditioning. | | |
| Good overhead lighting. | | |
| Electricity, running water and available restrooms. | | |
| Tables, chairs and trash cans. If the room is carpeted, please let your VBS account manager know so that we can bring floor covering. |
If your organization will be sponsoring a drive using a bloodmobile, please keep the following in mind: | |
| Ample space will be needed to park the bloodmobile with level parking for at least six parking spaces. | | |
| The parking site should be roped off before the blood drive. |
If you would like more information about sponsoring a blood drive, please contact us.
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Introducing the VBS Girl Scout patch program.
This is an opportunity for the Girl Scouts to learn about blood and the importance of blood donation in their community by planning and executing a blood drive with their troop, earning a patch signifying their efforts.
Hold a blood drive at your high school or college!
High school and college students make up a large percentage of our blood donors. Since these are often first time donations (you must be 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds), Virginia Blood Services knows how important it is to make blood donation as comfortable, relaxing and fun as possible.
Our organized staff truly enjoys working in schools and excels at handling a large turnout.
Click here to learn more!
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