The Drop is the official newsletter of ADRP. It is mailed directly to donor recruiter professionals and senior management of blood centers throughout the US, Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe four times yearly.
What’s Inside Partnerships: St. louis Rams PAGE 3 Desktop Marketing at MVRBC PAGE 5 In her own words: Diane De Coning PAGES 8 & 9 OUR MISSION: To provide education, development and resources for the donor recruitment professional. OUR VISION: We are the worldwide industry leader in the field of donor recruitment with an ongoing commitment to shape international policies and standards and to develop marketing strategies and specialized resources for the donor recruitment profession. ADRP EXECUTIVE BOARD President Susan Churchill Mayo Clinic 200 1st Street Rochester, MN 55902 507.284.9224 [email protected]Immediate Past President Dr. John Armitage, CEO Oklahoma Blood Institute 1001 North Lincoln Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405.297.5550 [email protected]President-Elect Gavin Evans National Blood Services 75 Cranmer Terrace London, SW17 ORB, United Kingdom 020 8258 8482 [email protected]Secretary Mary Jane Thomsen Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center 11853 Dorsett Road Saint Louis, MO 63043 314.291.4741, ext. 223 [email protected]Treasurer Marilyn Hughes Carter BloodCare 2205 Highway 121 Bedford, TX 76021 817.412.5602 [email protected]Volume 23 Spring 2007 From the association of donor recruitment professionals Dear friends and colleagues, For the past many years, ADRP and its board have become my family. Serving as president has been an honor, and I am proud to have worked with so many wonderful leaders who have contributed to ADRP’s continued suc- cess and growth. In addition, I am particularly proud of the steps our association has made over the past year to stretch itself and become stronger. ADRP’s board members have worked hard and made tough decisions. I am proud to work with individuals who have the best interests of donor recruitment at heart. Each of ADRP’s board members is committed to doing their best to achieve our mission, solve our prob- lems and accomplish goals. Not one of them serves to fulfill a personal agenda. ADRP’s board and membership truly live Margaret Mead’s quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” We have to change the world. Donor Recruitment Professionals must maintain their ability to bring in MORE donors, MORE often and save lives in our communities every day. During the upcoming conference, we will share ideas on how we can con- tinue this mission. If you have not registered for the conference, please do so. ere is not a better way to become recharged and to learn new ideas from each other. As I prepare to draw to a close my short year as ADRP’s president, I want to thank my ADRP family for working with me to accomplish the goals I set for my term. I will continue to work with incoming ADRP president, Gavin Evans, to improve our association and move forward. I will leave my ADRP family with the words of Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher, who wrote in Tao Te Ching (as translated in John Heider’s e Tao of Leadership): “If your life works you influence your family. If your family works, your family influences the community. If your community works, your community influences the nation. If your nation works, your nation influences the world. If your world works, the ripple effect spreads throughout the cosmos.” ADRP --- anks for working! Sincerely, Sue Churchill, ADRP President Letter from the President • Increasing our initiatives such as the Global Programs Committee, so we continue to serve as a worldwide leader in the field of donor recruitment. • Hiring a full time executive director. • Supporting world blood donor day. • Developing a new website that better reflects ADRP, which will be launched at this year’s conference in Baltimore. • Increasing ADRP’s membership.
Transcript
What’s Inside
Partnerships: St. louis Rams PAGE 3
Desktop Marketing at MVRBC PAGE 5
In her own words: Diane De Coning PAGES 8 & 9
OUR MISSION: To provide education, development and resources for the donor recruitment professional.
OUR VISION: We are the worldwide industry leader in the field of donor recruitment with an ongoing commitment to shape international policies and standards and to develop marketing strategies and specialized resources for the donor recruitment profession. ADRP EXECUTIVE BOARD President Susan Churchill Mayo Clinic 200 1st Street Rochester, MN 55902 507.284.9224 [email protected]
Immediate Past President Dr. John Armitage, CEO Oklahoma Blood Institute 1001 North Lincoln Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405.297.5550 [email protected]
President-Elect Gavin Evans National Blood Services 75 Cranmer Terrace London, SW17 ORB, United Kingdom 020 8258 8482 [email protected]
Secretary Mary Jane Thomsen Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center 11853 Dorsett Road Saint Louis, MO 63043 314.291.4741, ext. 223 [email protected]
Treasurer Marilyn Hughes Carter BloodCare 2205 Highway 121 Bedford, TX 76021 817.412.5602 [email protected]
Volume 23 Spring 2007
From the association of donor recruitment professionals
Dear friends and colleagues,
For the past many years, ADRP and its board have become my family. Serving as president has been an honor, and I am proud to have worked with so many wonderful leaders who have contributed to ADRP’s continued suc-cess and growth. In addition, I am particularly proud of
the steps our association has made over the past year to stretch itself and become stronger.
ADRP’s board members have worked hard and made tough decisions. I am proud to work with individuals who have the
best interests of donor recruitment at heart. Each of ADRP’s board members is committed to doing their best to achieve our mission, solve our prob-
lems and accomplish goals. Not one of them serves to fulfill a personal agenda. ADRP’s board and membership truly live Margaret Mead’s quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
We have to change the world. Donor Recruitment Professionals must maintain their ability to bring in MORE donors, MORE often and save lives in our communities every day. During the upcoming conference, we will share ideas on how we can con-tinue this mission. If you have not registered for the conference, please do so. There is not a better way to become recharged and to learn new ideas from each other.
As I prepare to draw to a close my short year as ADRP’s president, I want to thank my ADRP family for working with me to accomplish the goals I set for my term.
I will continue to work with incoming ADRP president, Gavin Evans, to improve our association and move forward. I will leave my ADRP family with the words of Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher, who wrote in Tao Te Ching (as translated in John Heider’s The Tao of Leadership): “If your life works you influence your family. If your family works, your family influences the community. If your community works, your community influences the nation. If your nation works, your nation influences the world. If your world works, the ripple effect spreads throughout the cosmos.” ADRP --- Thanks for working!
Sincerely,
Sue Churchill, ADRP PresidentLe
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• Increasing our initiatives such as the Global Programs Committee, so we continue to serve as a worldwide leader in the field of donor recruitment.
• Hiring a full time executive director.
• Supporting world blood donor day.
• Developing a new website that better reflects ADRP, which will be launched at this year’s conference in Baltimore.
• Increasing ADRP’s membership.
Page 2 A quarterly newsletter from ADRP
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AABB’s Donor Recruitment/Public Relations Committee (DR/PR Com-mittee) has voted to give ADRP $10,000 to print and mail promotional kits that promote World Blood Donor Day, which is set for June 14.
ADRP’s board had initially authorized the development of a promotional kit on World Blood Donor Day at its Jan-uary meeting. President Sue Churchill shared a sample of the kit, which includes fact sheets, press releases and world-colored balloon with imprints of ADRP’s logo with the DR/PR Com-mittee at this March meeting.
“The DR/PR Committee has been de-bating how to publicize World Blood Donor Day. We were so pleased with ADRP’s work that the committee asked if the kit could be co-branded with AABB’s logo,” said Kathleen
Connolly. “This is a great opportunity for our two groups to collaborate on a worthwhile cause.”
Churchill said the ADRP Executive Committee concurred, approving the co-branding of the kit. “This gives ADRP the ability to reach out to such a larger audience for an event we consider critical,” she added.
World Blood Donor Day aims to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and to thank those who give blood regularly on a voluntary, unpaid basis. “The day also serves as an oppor-tunity to encourage people to start donating as there is a very real and immediate need for blood across the globe,” said Churchill.
The World Blood Donor Day kit, scheduled to be mailed April 23, gives
members information to share locally on the disparity between countries when it comes to both the availability and safety of blood worldwide. The overwhelming majority of the world’s population does not have access to safe blood. More than 80 million units of blood are donated every year, but only 38 percent are collected in devel-oping countries where 82 percent of the global population lives.
“The chance of receiving a safe trans-fusion if you need one varies enor-mously from one country to another and depends largely on whether there is a quality blood donor program in place. Some 60 percent of the world’s blood supply goes to 18 percent of the population,” says Churchill.
ADRP and AABB Join Forces to Promote World Blood Donor Day
S u b m i t t e d b y D e b S w i f t , A D R P
A quarterly newsletter from ADRP Page 3
The St. Louis Rams have partnered with the American Red Cross since 1999 to host annual blood drives that have collected 3,149 units of blood, touching the lives of as many as 9,447 patients in need.
Through the continued support of the team’s Senior Management, play-ers, cheerleaders, Quarterback Club, donors and spon-sors, the Rams have produced one of the most successful NFL blood campaigns in the nation. These campaigns have become legendary in the St. Louis Metro-politan area and pro-duce a large amount of media coverage for blood donations.
Support from the Rams includes:
• The St. Louis Rams sponsor an annual blood drive in the fall, near the Thanks-giving holiday, designed to help inventory during a tough collec-tion time for the region.
• The St. Louis Rams have been a partner in the lifesaving mission for seven years.
• The events are branded with logos that follow the drive’s theme of “Help Tackle the Need for Blood,” created by the American Red Cross and Rams staff, to pro-duce t-shirts and PR. Each year the drive has a Team
Captain that serves as the spokesperson.
• Raffle prizes are offered at each drive to include such things as overnight hotel stays, Rams tickets, auto-graphed merchandise, etc.
• Tyoka Jackson started the Tyoka’s Troops campaign that helped to educate and recruit
African American donors for the Charles Drew program in our region. The program pairs Afri-can American blood donors and children with Sickle Cell Anemia in need of blood transfusions. He has dedicated hours of volunteer-ism at drives, recording PSAs and recruiting donors.
• The blood drive is supported by the players of the team. Many play-ers come out and thank the blood donors and some even donate, which can be difficult with their physical practice schedule require-ments.
• Countless hours of promotion of event at such things as Quar-terback Club luncheons, donated Jumbotron promotion, broadcast emails to media with game up-dates, luxury suite promotion are all provided by the team.
• Over 100 volunteers to run the drive are provided on an annual basis by The Greater St. Louis Rams Quarterback Club.
For more information or to make an appointment please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFEor sign up on line at www.americanredcrossblood.org sponsor code "RAMS".
Please remember to bring a form of identification, which you will be asked to present before donating.
November 14, 2005
04-X167/9/27/04
¨
EACH PRESENTING DONOR WILL RECEIVE A SPECIALLY DESIGNEDT-SHIRT AND A RAFFLE TICKET FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN
TICKETS TO A RAMS GAME, AN AUTOGRAPHED FOOTBALL ORA ONE-YEAR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP TO THE HEIGHTS.
HELP TACKLE THENEED FOR BLOOD
Partners in Saving Lives: the St. Louis Rams and ARC
S u b m i t t e d b y M a r g i e C a r r e r o , A m e r i c a n R e d C r o s s
Page 4 A quarterly newsletter from ADRP
Safe Blood Supply strategic focus for Red Cross/Red Crescent
S u b m i t t e d b y S c o t t C a s w e l l , T h e C o m m u n i t y B l o o d C e n t e r
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has recently set its strategic directions for the period up until 2010. They address all three dimensions of the health and care work of the International Fed-eration: responding to the most urgent health and disease challenges, health in disasters and public health emergencies. A joint strategy for 100 per cent volun-tary non-remunerated blood donation, developed by the World Health Organi-zation and the International Federation is seen as a fore-runner to a coherent global response in other health-related areas which our National Societies will develop to best utilize their auxiliary role to governments and respond to new challenges in health and care.The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to focus particular attention on the impor-
tance of preventing transfusion-trans-mitted infections and the joint vision and strategy proposes that the global burden of disease due to unsafe blood can be eliminated or substantially re-duced through an integrated approach to blood safety. The vision and strat-egy includes:• The establishment of a nationally
coordinated blood service• Collection of blood only from
voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations
• Testing of all donated blood, includ-ing screening for transfusion-trans-missible infections, blood grouping and compatibility testing
• Reduction in unnecessary transfu-sions through the effective clinical use of blood.
Guiding principleThe one guiding principle which has inspired the formulation of this global blueprint is simply, universal access to a safe blood supply. There is a major imbalance in access to safe blood between developing and industrialized countries. To date, only 49 of the 191 member countries have blood pro-grammes based on voluntary, non-re-munerated blood donors.The main reason for this appears to be a failure by national governments to integrate blood service delivery as part of the overall health care system. Reversing this trend would help pro-vide a sustainable blood programme whereby the community has equitable access to safe blood and blood prod-ucts. Blood safety must be integral to a
continued on page 7
A quarterly newsletter from ADRP Page 5
As of March 1, 2007, Mississippi Val-ley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) has registered more than 10,000 blood donors in the fi rst four months of the launch of their new donor-loyalty communications program. This tech-nology-centric loyalty program allows MVRBC to cost-effectively track, profi le, evaluate and deliver automated and targeted marketing messages to donors and potential donors via their desktops, screensavers, cell phones, email inboxes, phones and mailboxes. Improving donor communications, through delivery of branded mes-sages, interactive videos, and ads with “Proven View” technology, has proven more effective through donors ̓desk-tops and screensavers. These methods yield better response rates than more traditional marketing vehicles, such as e-mail and direct mail. “In the process of selecting a loyalty program, we reviewed the loyalty program market and determined a new system was needed to thwart current communication and retention issues,” states Melinda Bryant, MSM-PM, Vice President of Donor Resources. “The new program had to provide multiple donor choices for communi-cation and have an integrated donor scheduling, built in CRM tools and targeted marketing capabilities.”With a new generation of donors, new tools such as the desktop delivery tool, screensaver and cell phone text mes-saging provide communication chan-nels that are embraced by todayʼs tech-nologically advanced donors. From early data, MVRBC has determined that when given the option to choose their method of communication, many donors will choose either the desktop delivery tool or screensaver.MVRBC is effectively using the same
communication technology that, ac-cording to Brand Week, has allowed Southwest Airlines to register more than two million customers into its new DING program that alerts cus-tomers to discounts via their computer desktops. Brand Week also states that over $138,000,000 in additional revenue can be credited to this innova-tive communication tool. MVRBC recognizes that older and costly meth-ods of communication are no longer effective vehicles to depend on and, to continue expansion and growth, they must move to new methods.“We take great pride in using the most advanced technologies avail-able to help us increase blood dona-tions and at the same time retain our blood donors,” adds Bryant. “Our new donor-loyalty program uses the latest and best marketing vehicles to truly connect with donors in their everyday lives in a non-invasive manner.” MVRBC donors register to receive
communications from the loyalty program via their chosen method of the seven marketing vehicles. Dur-ing registration, donors complete a rapid survey, providing MVRBC with information on preferences and profi le to enhance the donor experience. “We are able to segment our donor base and send video of a blood re-cipient directly to our donors, using a range of fi lters that allow us to tar-get by a combination of parameters. For example, a video message of a blood recipient can be sent based on a combination of zip code, donors who prefer to donate at fi xed sites and O-negative blood types,” says Bryant. Formed in 1974, MVRBC is an independent, not-for-profi t organiza-tion that plays an integral role in the health of the community. MVRBC has served the community for over 30 years, collecting more than 120,000 units annually in Iowa, Illinois, Wis-consin and Missouri.
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Leverages New Desktop-Marketing Technology to Increase Donor Frequency and Retention
S u b m i t t e d b y J e n n y G a r n e r , M i s s i s s i p p i V a l l e y R e g i o n a l B l o o d C e n t e r
Page 6 A quarterly newsletter from ADRP
Bronx Blood Donor Chairpersons Recognition Event a Success
S u b m i t t e d b y A l e x a n d e r B r o w n , N e w Y o r k B l o o d C e n t e r
Borough President Adolfo Carrión spent the morning of Friday, January 19 at the Bronx Zoo honoring fellow Bronxites for their commitment to maintaining a safe community blood supply. The first ever “Bronx Blood Donor Chairpersons Recognition Event” was filled with chairpersons from all over the borough whose ef-forts helped provide a 400 pint in-crease in blood donations with New York Blood Center (NYBC) in the
Bronx in 2006. In addition to honor-ing all of the chairpersons BP Carrión, who serves as Bronx Chair for NY-BCʼs Volunteer Leadership Campaign, presented awards to those blood donor groups which donated the most pints in 2006. The 22 award-winning donor organizations represented a cross-sec-
tion of organizations in the Bronx. (Please see below for complete list.)Two local media outlets were also recognized for their dedication and support of NYBCʼs mission. Bronxnet and News12 The Bronx were awarded for their commitment to promoting local blood drives and increasing public awareness of the importance of donating. Borough President Carrión also thanked John Calvelli, Senior VP of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Con-servation Society at the Bronx Zoo for the Zooʼs continued support of New York Blood Centerʼs mission. For the second year in a row, the Zoo has donated 35,000 free admission vouch-ers to be used as incentives at NYBC blood drives. The event was capped off as Borough President Carrión presented the Annu-al Bronx Borough President Awards to four outstanding blood donor groups for their exceptional commitment in 2006. The High School Award was presented to Harry S Truman High School (244 donations); the college award to SUNY Maritime (410 dona-
tions); the hospital award to James J. Peters Veteranʼs Affairs Medical Center (217 donations) and the Out-standing Achievement Award to St. Benedictʼs Church (292 donations).The event also included two guest speakers. Dr. Mike Rosen of CW11 shared with the attendees the impor-tance of blood donation along with the health aspects. And New Yorkʼs finest turned out in force to support Officer Jerry Diaz of the New York Police Departmentʼs MISD Department. Offi-cer Diaz, who has chaired blood drives for Patrol Borough Bronx at the 43rd Precinct, is a blood recipient whose life was saved by volunteer blood donors. He graciously shared his personal story with the attendees and thanked them all for there commitment to keeping a safe blood supply.
TOP RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
St. Benedict s̓ Parish – 292 donationsOur Lady of Refuge - 200 donationsSt. Frances DeChantal - 216 donationsTOP COLLEGES:
Fordham University 446 donationsSUNY Maritime 410 donationsManhattan College 383 donations
TOP HIGH SCHOOLS:
Harry S Truman 244 donationsAlfred E. Smith High School - 159 donationsAdlai Stevenson High School - 155 donationsTOP RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
St. Benedict s̓ Parish – 292 donations
Our Lady of Refuge - 200 donationsSt. Frances DeChantal - 216 donationsTOP NYPD PRECINCTS:
In addition to NYPD being the largest donor group in the Bronx, honors went to the two precincts with the most donations.
New York City Housing Authority - 510 donations Bronx Supreme Court - 389 donationsBronx Family Court - 292 donationsTOP HOSPITALS
Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center – 444 donations
Jacobi & North Central Bronx Hospital – 253 donationsJames J. Peters Veteran s̓ Affairs – 217 donationsMontefiore Medical Center – 120 donations (Special note – just started running drives in 2006 after many years)St. Barnabas Hospital – 127 donations
A quarterly newsletter from ADRP Page 7A quarterly newsletter from ADRP Page 7
countryʼs health strategy while scaling up the health sector response to reduce the disease burden and the loss of life due to HIV and other blood-borne pathogen.Develop a global partnership for developmentAttainment of 100 percent voluntary blood donation for any country brings with it sustainable long-term results for human development. Voluntary blood donors make a subtle, but nonetheless most effective contribu-tion towards the attainment of global partnerships for such development. The vital relationship between a coun-tryʼs voluntary blood donation pro-gramme and the capacity of its gov-ernment and civil society to meet their broader responsibilities reflects the true value of voluntary blood donors
in human development. For example, the growth of Club 25 Programmes, whereby young blood donors play sig-nificant roles in both curative medicine and health promotion, makes for both an economical public health model as well as an extraordinary contribu-tion to wider civil society. Through an international network of Club 25 members, young blood donors have social interaction and collaboration at the global level, resulting in their acquisition of significant leadership skills which can later benefit their own country in wide-ranging activities. In effect, young blood donors commence their role in human development by giving blood. Then, they extend their community involvement, for example, by becoming HIV/AIDS peer educa-tors or participating in other health promotion activities. Ultimately, they
forge strong links of solidarity which, in turn, build their capacity to provide leadership for improved health and well-being in their communities over several decades.Issues and challengesBlood transfusion provides an essen-tial and life-saving support in a health care system. Millions of lives are saved each year through blood transfu-sions and safe blood is of extreme im-portance in order to avoid any serious morbidity or mortality. Three crucial issues related to blood safety are the lack of access to blood when required, unsafe blood which carries the risk of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) and other serious transfusion reactions and insufficient voluntary blood donors who are the source of the safest blood supply.
Safe Blood Supply strategic focus C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 4
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Last month my travels in Africa took me on a dis-turbing visit to Benguela Province in Angola
Working as a con-
sultant for the Safe Blood for Africa Foundation (SBFAF), my colleague (a Portuguese translator) and I arrived in Luanda, the capital of Angola, to receive the Terms of Reference (TOR) for our mission from the European Union (EU). The EU contracted SBFAF to conduct a situation analysis of the blood transfusion operations in the Benguela Province.
We fl ew down the West African coast-line from Luanda to Benguela Town, the capital of Benguela Province.
The objectives of our mission were:
• To conduct assessment trips to prescribed outlying posts in Lobito, Bocoio, Catumbela, Cubal and Benguela.
• To propose changes and recom-mendations in the sites identifi ed with reference to:
o increase voluntary non- remunerated blood donation (VNRBD)
o decrease transfusion transmissible infections (TTI’s) by improved selection of donors
o promotion of the rational use of blood
• To develop other tools, if indicated
• To meet persons or personnel who can advise the task team of
the local situation or contribute to understanding of the current sta-tus of blood services in Benguela Province
• To visit transfusion centres at the hospitals in the province of Benguela
• Obtain information and to collect the required data
• To analyse the collected data, prepare a report in Portuguese, with the methodology, results and recommendations
• Present the results to the respon-sible people at each of the transfu-sion centres visited
• To make recommendations to strengthen coordination between the Central National Service (CNS - Luanda) and the Benguela blood transfusion centres
Day one took us to the Bocoio Municipal Hospital, which is situated in the most beautiful setting. It was a 3-4 hour drive from Benguela (75 kilometers) on the worst roads I have ever experienced. The hospital has no oxygen, performs no surgery and has no x-ray unit. They only have access to power from 18.00-midnight each day. Water is collected from the river and delivered by trucks. Some of the defi ciencies that were found in the hospital were:
• Only 20 percent of the total of the bed linen requirements exist
• Only 70 percent of the total num-ber of mattresses exist
• Hand and face towels do not exist
• There are no thermal blankets which are so necessary for the admitted children who are hypo-thermic
All blood donated is from family re-placement donors. There are concerns with regard to the high number of donor deferrals (60 percent) from
the family replacement donors. With this high deferral rate, the feasibility of voluntary blood donation in this area is questionable. I never thought I would ever make this statement! The majority of transfusions are for paediatrics suffering from malnutrition or malaria.
BOCOIO MUNCIPIAL HOSPITAL
On our return we visited the Lobito Paediatric Hospital, the transfusion centre is extremely well equipped and is housed in a pre-fabricated unit sponsored by Hyundai.
Day two, for me, was the most trau-matic day of my visit, after 5 – 6 hours on the “road”, traveling 160 Kilome-ters, we eventually arrived at Cubal Missionary Hospital which is run by a group of nuns.
Sister Pila Milagros, the doctor in charge of the hospital, was proud to inform us of their commitment to transfusing “safe blood” and that they started testing for TTI’s in 1997. The Missionary Hospital is experiencing severe staff shortages. Sr. Pila was most distressed as at present, due to the staff shortages, the hospital is only able to treat paediatric cases. Adults requiring medical treatment have to be turned away from the hospital.
While touring the hospital we en-countered paediatrics being treated for severe malnutrition. I have never seen such thin babies, one baby girl’s arms were the thickness of my middle fi nger. We also encountered paediat-rics with malaria, many were receiving blood. One of the babies was very ill and passed on while we were in at-tendance.
The Laboratory Technologist, and a nun, Sr. Cecilia, from Columbia was desperate to start a voluntary blood donation programme at the schools and churches in the area.
I defi nitely left a part of me in Cubal
In her own words: Diane De Coning
Page 8 A quarterly newsletter from ADRP
A quarterly newsletter from ADRP Page 9
that day and am determined to go back and work as a volunteer at that missionary hospital as soon as time allows.
On day three we visited the Catumbe-la Municipal Hospital where we again found a 100 percent family replace-ment blood donation system, with donors donating and patients being transfused in the transfusion centre. 95percent of the blood usage was for paediatrics suffering mainly from Malaria. One unit of donated blood is used for multiple paediatric patients, with only the transfer set changed before each transfusion.
Day 4 took us to the main referral hospital for the province. The Ben-guela Provincial Transfusion Centre is the size of a large closet. In this “room,” donors were donating for their loved ones, two paediatrics were receiving blood, components were being made and blood was being tested for HBV, HIV, Syphilis and blood grouping.
After our investigation visits, the fol-lowing problem areas to be addressed were noted:
• Approximately 95 percent of the blood used is transfused to paedi-atrics. Blood units are being used over and over for the paediatrics i.e. 1 units of blood is being used for up to 4 – 5 paediatrics. These units are being used up to 10 days after being “opened” for the fi rst patient. The transfer sets however, are changed after each transfusion.
• Reagents and test kits are being used beyond their expiry date.
• In Bocoio, the fridge that holds the reagents and the blood stock being switched off for extended periods of time. One unit of stock blood was found totally haemolysed in the fridge
• There are no resources e.g. vehi-cles, equipment, etc. at the Transfu-
sion Centre’s to conduct voluntary blood donation campaigns.
• There are no IEC or other pro-motional materials to encourage voluntary blood donation or to sensitize/educate the community on voluntary blood donation.
• The transfusion centre’s premises at the Benguela Hospital are to-tally inadequate and new premises need to be found urgently until the renovations at the Benguela Hospital are completed.
• All patients are transfused by transfusion centre personnel; most transfusions are conducted in the transfusion centres. This is the re-sponsibility of the hospital medical staff and must be assigned accord-ingly.
• There is NO consistent, accurate blood collection, units transfused, TTI statistics and other applicable data available from the transfusion centres.
• There is NO voluntary blood donation at any of the transfusion centres visited.
The following recommendations were made:
• A pre-fabricated construction, as seen at the Lobito Paediatric Hos-pital (Sponsored by Hyundai), must be considered for Benguela Hos-pital until their new premises are available. If this recommendation is impossible, it is recommended that the transfusion centre opera-tions at Benguela Provincial hospi-tal cease until suitable alternative premises is found.
• Paediatric blood bags – primary plus 5 satellite bags are purchased for the transfusion of blood to paediatrics.
• With immediate effect the Transfu-sion Centres must start encourag-ing family replacement donors to
become voluntary blood donors using an incentive e.g. a “I am a voluntary blood donor T-shirt” on their 3rd blood donation.
• Campaigns for voluntary blood donation are introduced – recom-mend a “pilot study” be consid-ered for Cubal Missionary Hospital with the required IEC material and donor recruitment training conducted.
• Mobile blood collection units (complete with a vehicle, person-nel and equipment) be implement-ed in Benguela Province.
• All patients in Benguela Province be transfused in the hospital wards by the hospital medical personnel, alleviating the transfusion centres of an additional task.
• Annual National budget for IEC material and donor promotional materials (awards/incentives) be managed by the CNS and the ma-terials supplied proportionately to the province.
In conclusion, I will be returning to Angola on 17 April, armed with 500 HIV test kits to be used when the transfusion centres run out of test kits. I will also be taking a supply of paediatric blood bags with me, ensur-ing that each paediatric patient trans-fused receives a “safe” unit.
I will be training Sister Cecilia, the nun from Columbia, on the skills and knowledge required to educate, motivate and recruit voluntary blood donors so that she can “pilot” the very fi rst voluntary blood donation initiative in Angola.
Safe Blood for Africa is hoping to acquire equipment and a prefabricated unit to be able to set up a more ap-propriate transfusion centre on the grounds of the temporary provincial hospital until the new provincial hospi-tal for Benguela Province is completed.
Page 10 A quarterly newsletter from ADRP
OUR MISSION: To provide education, development and resources for the donor recruitment professional.
OUR VISION: We are the worldwide industry leader in the field of do-nor recruitment with an ongoing commitment to shape international policies and standards and to develop marketing strategies and specialized resources for the donor recruitment profession.
Mailing permit information
For additional copies of ‘the Drop’ or to inquire about ADRP memberships, please contact: Deb Swift, Executive Director 8701 Bluffstone Cove, #2308 Austin, Texas 78759, U.S.A. [email protected] Office: 512.658.9414Fax: 866.498.6527
‘the Drop’ is printed and distributed quarterly by the ADRP Communications Committee. We welcome articles, comments, questions and suggestions. Correspondence for ‘the Drop’ should be forwarded to: Mary Jane Thomsen, Manager Donor Resources ‘the Drop’ Editor / Communications Committee Co-Chair Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center 11853 Dorsett Road Saint Louis, MO 63043 314.291.4741, ext. 223 [email protected]
