Host a Blood Drive

• We ask that groups have a minimum of 30 donors committed to participate in the blood drive.
• The group must offer a location for the drive that meets our requirements
• Drives are organized when it’s most convenient for your donors to give blood, often during evenings and weekends.

Insider tip: People are more likely to donate blood (especially for the first time) when they feel comfortable and are with people they know. By volunteering to host a drive, local businesses, educational institutions, community and civic organizations, and places of worship are introducing blood donation in a safe and accessible way, providing a tremendous service to local hospitals and the patients in their community who are in need

The need for blood never ends, and every season, there’s a reason to give blood: local patients.  After an individual donates blood, there is a limited time in which that donation can be used to help someone in need which means patients are always counting on the generosity of blood donors – and blood drive hosts – to help keep blood on the shelves.

Whole blood donors can give up to six times a year – every 56 days – but most only give once per year. By hosting a blood drive every season – winter, spring, summer, and fall -  your organization can help ensure your dedicated donor base are coming back regularly to give. Donating blood every season ensures that patients never have to worry about getting their next necessary transfusion.

Businesses

Many businesses hold regular blood drives that range from a commitment of 30-200+ donors. They are held on-site at your place of business, usually in a conference room, lunchroom or other open space. If you don’t have space, we also have mobile buses that can be parked outside of your organization. We take donations right on the vehicle!

Schools

High schools and colleges host regular blood drives and represent more than 20% of all blood drives. Hosting a drive at your school instills a legacy that will be passed along to future classes. And, they’re a lot of fun!

Community and Civic Organizations

Donors are more likely to donate blood when they feel comfortable and are with people they know, which is why many community and civic organizations host blood drives. Different types of groups include:

• Community or city-wide drives
• Civic organizations, such as Lions or Elks clubs
• Faith-based organizations
• Mom's groups or other special-interest groups that host drives to honor or commemorate an individual

Our blood drive planning timeline checklist offers a checklist of what you should do and when, but here’s an overview to ensure that your blood drive will go as smoothly as possible:

1. First, contact Versiti in your preferred region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) or complete a blood drive interest form and discuss possible dates and the size of your group. If you plan to host the drive at your facility, our staff will stop by to look at the room you have selected to ensure there is adequate space, lighting, outlets, etc.
2. Then, we recommend forming a committee to divide duties such as logistics, recruiting and decorating. Versiti staff will provide drive materials and will remain in contact with you to answer any questions.
3. On the day of the drive, Versiti's mobile crew will arrive before the start of your drive to set up all equipment. After your drive has ended, our crew will break down all equipment and transport it away.

Thank you for contributing the time and effort to host a blood drive with Versiti Blood Centers. Participating with us means that your organization provides tremendous benefits to people who need blood, including accident victims, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, premature babies, patients undergoing surgery and many others in need of blood transfusions. As a Versiti Blood Drive Host you will be provided exclusive access to our online blood drive management system. Inside, you will be able to:

• Schedule and view your blood drives.
• Manage donor appointments.
• View drive activity for current and past drives scheduled in the system.
• Track results for your blood drives.
• Communicate with current and prospective donors via email.

The Beacon Club recognizes blood and platelet donors as well as blood drive host’s commitment to saving lives throughout the year. Everyone is welcome in The Beacon Club, and everyone is needed! In fact, the club’s goal is to track your donation milestones and celebrate with you as you continue to a make a difference again and again. There is no application or form to fill out to join, simply support our missions throughout the calendar year – and all who qualify will be recognized. For more information, check out Versiti’s Beacon Club page.

Hosting a blood drive has several direct benefits:

• Your donations are of crucial importance for local hospitals. Everyone in your group – from organizers to donors – can feel good about helping patients who depend on receiving that blood.
• Hosting a blood drive can be a very visible extension of your organization’s values because it shows that you are working together for the good of the community.
• Individuals who work together to plan the drive can benefit from the leadership experience it provides.
• Some organizations find that hosting a blood drive brings their entire group together because there is an opportunity to rally around a very real and important community cause.

Generally, as a blood drive coordinator, it is up to you to find an appropriate location for your blood drive. However, our teams in Wisconsin and Illinois also have the ability to host a drive on a bus, which just needs ample parking space outside of your building.

Gifts will be based on the current calendar year and will be delivered by the Account Rep that services your area. Gifts can be expected sometime in February of the following year. 

As part of this exclusive club, you will join a community of dedicated blood drive hosts who are all doing their part to positively impact the lives of those in need. You, as a Host Coordinator, are an extension of Versiti and an ambassador in your community for our mission!  To qualify, you simply need to host a blood drive during a single calendar year.

Ideally, planning 8 to 12 weeks before the actual date works best. This gives you time to organize and recruit, helping to ensure a successful drive. Smaller windows of time can be accommodated. Again, this is something you can discuss with our staff.

A minimum of 20 donors is needed to host a blood drive. Our largest drives host over 200 donors. Most smaller drives are held over a 4-hour period; larger drives can stretch over a longer time.

It takes about 60 minutes from registration to refreshments in the café. The actual blood donation time is approximately 10 minutes.

Versiti Blood Centers appreciates the effort it takes to organize and promote a blood drive, therefore, we are able to recognize up to 3 coordinators if they all do equal work annually on the drives.

Getting donors committed to giving is absolutely critical. Studies have shown that the main reason people haven’t donated blood is that no one asked them. Forming a committee and personally asking people — even signing them up for donation times — is the best way to ensure that you’ll achieve your goal. If there is someone from the organization with a personal story about needing blood, ask if they are willing to share their story. Real stories can create a personal connection and provide further motivation for blood donation.