Hosting a Blood Drive
10 Feb 2022
Working Together to Make Positive Impacts: A Letter from Mitzy Edgecomb
Welcome to the first Vital Connection of 2022! In this issue we share information about health and wellness checks for donors and the results of a national campaign for new blood donors; launch a college scholarship program and share a calendar of holidays during which we hope you’ll consider hosting a blood drive.
But first, I would like to reflect on an accomplishment from 2021. With your help, Vitalant welcomed more than 98,000 first-time donors on mobile blood drives! This is significant because each year, thousands of donors are no longer able to donate for various reasons, including health-related issues. First-time donors who become loyal life-long donors are the only way to secure the future of our nation’s blood supply. In 2022, with your help we hope to have over 100,000 first-time donors!
This winter presented multiple challenges to safeguarding the national blood supply. With inclement weather, staffing challenges and the omicron COVID variant, we spent January and February spreading the message of a critical national blood shortage. Donors and you, our vital blood drive coordinators, were called upon to help restore the blood supply to a sufficient level – and you did just that. Because of your dedication to helping patients, life didn’t stop. Thank you!
Now we are looking forward to spring. As temperatures rise and we start enjoying outdoor activities and travel, we also look forward to the renewing spirit that a blood drive can bring to your organization and the patients it helps. Giving people an opportunity to help others creates a sense of belonging and wellbeing. As a blood drive coordinator, you create many positive impacts on your community.
These coming months will be busy and with the uncertainties of COVID the blood supply must be prepared. I encourage you to confirm the details of your upcoming blood drive(s) with your Vitalant representative today. Or, if you don’t have a blood drive scheduled this spring or summer, please consider scheduling one. The need for blood never stops, and mobile blood drives like yours are essential to meeting that need.
I encourage you to reach out to your Vitalant representative to schedule a drive and/or start making plans for your next blood drive. You can also request that someone reach out to you by emailing us at MakeAnImpact@vitalant.org.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the patients we serve. We couldn’t do our lifesaving work without you.
With gratitude,
Mitzy P. Edgecomb
Vice President of Donor Recruitment
As the status of COVID-19 around the country continues to change, please be assured that we continue to follow COVID-19 safety precautions to keep donors, volunteers and staff safe. We recommend you check the COVID-19 FAQs page on our website for the most up-to-date safety information.