American Red Cross Nashville Coordinator Chapter 2

Getting started (10 to 8 weeks in advance)

Confirm blood drive goal.
When you begin to plan a blood drive, you'll meet with your Red Cross representative to establish a mutual collection goal. Reaching the goal is the bottom line on how the success of your drive will be measured. Therefore, the goal should be both aggressive and realistic. Although participation varies, we recommend that at least 25 percent of your group participates as blood donors each drive.

Please understand that once a drive goal is set, it is important that you meet it. With the help of blood drive sponsors, the Red Cross is committed to supplying blood to various hospitals. Remember, a hospital patient needs blood every two seconds.

Secure the date and time of the drive.
Blood is needed every day of the year. When consulting your Red Cross representative to select a date and time for the drive, consider factors like shift schedules and competing events. Try to hold the drive when the most people can attend, and remember that the blood supply is lowest during holidays, severe weather, and summer months. Blood drives during these times are particularly important.

Select an appropriate site.
Based upon your goal, you and your Red Cross representative will look for the right site for the drive. This could be a site outside your office; for example, a church or school auditorium. Be sure the site is inviting so donors will feel comfortable at this drive and will want to attend future drives. When choosing a site, make sure the space is large enough to provide adequate confidentiality. It should be clean, easily accessible, with ample parking, and restrooms. Other points to remember include proper lighting and available telephones. Your Red Cross representative will help you evaluate any potential site.