High School Blood Drive

• Getting Started (PDF)
• Planning a Blood Drive (PDF)
• Preparing Donors (PDF)

Get the Word Out!

Spreading the word about the blood drive is a critical element to the success of the event. Be creative and have fun when promoting the blood drive! Consider the following:

• Hang posters around school. If the blood drive is open to the public, hang posters around town as well.
• Get the school paper involved by giving them story ideas and ask them to take pictures the day of the blood drive.
• Give five minute speeches in classrooms to get the students excited about giving blood!
• Ask the teachers to announce the blood drive in class and encourage students to participate.
• Have PA announcements made about the blood drive.
• Promote the blood drive on your school marquee

Make the Blood Drive Memorable!

For many students, the school blood drive will be their first blood donation experience. Make the drive fun and memorable so donors will feel relaxed and encouraged to donated again in the future.

• Create a theme for the blood drive. The theme can be anything related to school activities, pop culture or maybe even a holiday (Halloween blood drives are always fun!).
• Compete against other schools in your same class size (1A, 2A, 3A & 4A) to win a $1000 scholarship for one student in your school. Winners will be selected based on the highest percentage of eligible students who donate blood. See your Blood Center Representative for additional information.
• Contact local businesses and ask them to provide gift certificates or other items for a drawing at the blood drive.
• When asking students to sign up to donate, be enthusiastic! A face-to-face invitation to donate is the best way to get a positive response from donors!

Recruiting Blood Donors

Here are some great ideas to consider when recruiting blood donors:

• Find out if any students in your school have used blood and ask them to share their story. Being asked to donate blood by someone who has used blood is very powerful!
• Talk to students and/or teachers who donate blood regularly and ask them to share their past donation experience(s). These stories can often make first time donors feel more comfortable with the idea of donating blood.
• Create a committee to contact past donors and ask them to sign up to donate. If your blood drive includes the community, consider contacting school alumni and local civic groups.
• Do something special to reward students for signing up ahead of time. You can offer a School Colors Day, special treats or maybe even a discount in the cafeteria.

For more information about planning a blood drive for students, faculty and staff at your high school, please click here.