How to Organize a Blood Drive

Blood saves lives, plain and simple. Giving blood is an excellent way to give back to the community. By organizing a blood drive, you'll not only help those who need blood, you'll make it easy for others do the same. Learn how to make it happen.

Things You'll Need

• Snacks for donors
• Fliers
• Volunteers

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Instructions

• 1

  Contact the blood service provider in your area. You can reach the American Red Cross at (800) GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543).

• 2

  Choose a date. Give yourself plenty of time to get the word out about your blood drive.

• 3

  Choose a location. The Red Cross may have some suggestions, or you can use a church hall, school or community center. If your local blood services organization has a bloodmobile, you can hold your blood drive in nearly any location.

• 4

  Recruit a committee of people to help with the drive. Assign people to specific jobs such as publicity, providing snacks and setting up childcare during the drive.

• 5

  Get the word out. Hang fliers on bulletin boards at coffee shops, schools, churches and grocery stores. Ask local radio stations to do a public service announcement for your drive. Ask your local blood services organization about other ways to promote the drive.

• 6

  Encourage people to sign up ahead of time, but plan on having plenty of walk-up traffic.

• 7

  Remember to thank people for coming. Let them know that each donation is potentially life-saving and encourage them to give blood again in the future.