Just Your Type - Appointment Formula Equals Blood Drive Success

Appointment Formula Equals Blood Drive Success

Our last blood drive had an 80-pint collection goal. I recruited 100 people and approximately 85 people came to donate, but I was later informed that we only collected a little more than 70 pints and fell short of our goal. Is there an explanation for this and how can we increase the odds of achieving our pint goal at our next drive?

First of all, thank you for a job well done. Recruiting 100 people to give the gift of life is no small feat and you raise a very good question. Certain types of blood drives have higher numbers of donor deferrals and no-shows than others, which may explain a lower than expected collection total.

While every drive is different, sticking to this formula, helps guarantee success in reaching your blood drive goals.

For example, high school and college blood drives typically turn away a high number of donors for not meeting the minimum weight requirement, having low iron levels or having a tattoo or body piercing within the past year. There are several other reasons for scheduling more donors, including no-shows, last minute changes in schedules, and people who are deferred for travel, medications or cold symptoms.

So according to this chart, 100 donation appointments are needed for a university drive with a pint collection goal of 50. But a company blood drive with the same collection goal, will likely need 75 donation appointments. While every drive is different, using this formula helps guarantee success in reaching your blood drive goals.

Staff members of the State of Hawaii Employee Retirement System office proudly showcase their armbands after their October 5th blood drive. All donors color coordinated their armbands and helped the state blood drive reach its 45-pint collection goal.