International Blood Donor Recruitment Professionals Day Spotlight As we approach International Blood Donor Recruitment Professionals Day, we are proud to highlight the incredible work of some of the most outstanding individuals in the field. Our members have shared nominations for recruiters and teams who have gone above and beyond in their communities to ensure a steady supply of blood for those in need. |
Honor the Professionals in Your Center ADRP members have access to our toolkit to thank those who form the vital gateway between blood donors and the life-saving gift they provide. Contents in this toolkit include customizable social media images, a draft blog, and a sample email to recognize your center's donor recruitment professionals. Not a member yet? Sign up now.
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Iryna Slavinska, Savio Devagiri National Service Scheme Unit
Nominated by Volodymyr Birulia, Donor UA
"Russia’s war against Ukraine is unlike any conflict the world has seen in the 21st century. It cannot be compared even to the World Wars, as military and medical technologies have evolved significantly. Since February 24, 2024, DonorUA has stood alongside the state and the people of Ukraine, taking on a critical role in the nation’s blood system: recruiting and organizing blood donations to ensure that all affected individuals, both military and civilian, receive the life-saving care they need. This large-scale war has accelerated many processes, forcing us to either adapt rapidly or succumb to the challenges. The need for change was immediately apparent in the first days of the invasion when blood centers were overwhelmed by the number of donors eager to help. There was a severe shortage of both human resources and materials. To process the collected blood, our teams worked around the clock, all while under the constant threat of bombardment. On February 25, for instance, Russian forces shelled the regional blood center in Kharkiv, injuring three medical workers and killing one donor. In the first two months of the full-scale war, nearly 40,000 new donors registered with the DonorUA system. Today, our platform has over 170,000 blood donors. The platform not only supports the state by coordinating blood transportation to the front lines but also plays a crucial role in securing the necessary funding. To date, we have financed over 100 blood deliveries, each of which can save up to 1,500 lives. We raise funds through partnerships with businesses and our donor community. Blood collection, processing, and testing are carried out by municipal enterprises—blood centers. However, reaching these facilities can be challenging for donors. To address this, even amidst the war, we launched a mobile blood center: a fully equipped bloodmobile with five donation chairs and all the necessary equipment to safely collect blood. Iryna Slavinska launched the platform in 2014. What started as a simple Excel sheet of regular donors has grown into a full-fledged platform with certified data protection, verified by the Ministry of Health. Iryna now serves on government advisory boards for the development of the blood system and is a member of the Youth Council under the President of Ukraine. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ira-slavinska-0926258/ We continue to expand our team and actively recruit new donors. Our system facilitates over 50,000 planned donations each year. On our platform, donors can find all the information they need to prepare for and successfully donate blood. Our blood will lead us to victory! For more information, visit our website: https://www.donor.ua/en."
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Donor Recruitment Department, Virginia Region of the American Red Cross
Nominated by Courtney Lawrence, American Red Cross, Virginia Region
"I am delighted to nominate the donor recruitment department of the Virginia region of the American Red Cross in honor of International Blood Donor Recruitment Professionals Day! This dynamic team always goes the extra mile to partner with our community in generating local interest for blood donation. During a recent sickle cell awareness event, our team members gave a walk-through tour of our immunohematology reference lab and new blood manufacturing facility to community attendees to emphasize the unique blood needs for the sickle cell patient population. The Virginia team fosters their own individual "passion projects" - one team member works with international student groups in our local universities to teach them about donor eligibility criteria here in the US, while another team member led educational outreach on iron deficiency during a mission trip to Peru. The Virginia mobile blood drives are wildly successful - the "Broadcasters for Blood" drive supported by the Charlottesville Radio Group collects over 250 blood units with each event! The recruitment team also coordinates over 70 mobile drives each year with Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems to provide healthcare staff and patients' families a way to give back to their community. This group embraces and supports a fundamental message: diversity of blood donors is necessary to support our diverse communities!" |
San Pablo Colleges Medical Center MBD Team
Nominated by Senen Abila, San Pablo Colleges Medical Center
"SPCMC MBD TEAM The Blood Letting Team is dedicated to providing compassionate, effective, and safe bloodletting services to all partners agency. We are committed to improving the lives of individuals affected by anemia and promoting their overall well-being."
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Hope Warriors |
"I am delighted to nominate the exceptional team at the City of Hope Blood Donor center. This remarkable group of individuals aptly knows as the "Hope Warriors" plays a crucial role in sustaining the lifeblood-literally and figuratively- of one of the world's leading cancer research treatment centers. Voted top 5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News and world report. The Hope Warriors' dedication is nothing short of inspiring. Each day ensuring that the blood supply for our patients is abundant and accessible, a task that requires an extraordinary blend of passion, expertise and relentless perseverance. As the number one leader in bone marrow transplants, City of Hope's lifesaving procedures would be impossible without the steady flow of healthy blood and platelet donations. It is here that the Hope Warriors shine, standing at the forefront of this vital mission. This team's impact is both vast and profound. Scheduling over 100,000 appointments annually, they are the backbone of the largest blood donor center on the West Coast. Their work is not just about logistics, it's about people- patients, donors and the community at large. Their efforts ensure that every patient in need has access to the essential components for their treatment, embodying the very essence of hope in action. ADRP would be wise to spotlight this extraordinary team, whose unwavering commitment and exceptional service make all the difference. They are unsung heroes whose tireless work fuels the fight against cancer and supports countless lives. It is with my deepest hope that the Hope Warriors of the City of Hope Blood Donor Center receive the recognition they richly deserve." |
Limbong Vogmo Jiovanni Nicaise, Camerblood
Nominated by Ateba Noel Simon, Blood Bank Yaounde Central Hospital
"Jiovanni limbong is a 20-year-old Cameroonian girl who, in just 3 months, has boosted the performance of the recruitment team at the Yaounde branch of the Camerblood blood donor association."
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Sarah Perez
Nominated by Lisa Everett, Rhode Island Blood Center
"Sarah was promoted into the role of manger for the donor recruitment team. Shortly after her promotion, she found herself having to cover a recently vacated account territory, while continuing to learn and grow in her new position. Sarah never missed a step. She worked hard to learn and excel in her role as manager while covering this new territory ensuring drive sponsors and donors received all drive related information in a timely manner. All the while never missing an opportunity to support her team and the donor services staff. And always with a smile. Thanks, Sarah! Great job." |
Sajan CV, Savio Devagiri National Service Scheme Unit |
"Under the inspiring leadership of Mr. Sajan C V, the NSS (National Service Scheme) volunteers of Savio Higher Secondary School organized the “Jeevadhyudhi (Light of Life)” blood donation camp on 20th August 2024, in collaboration with Kerala State POLBLOOD. This remarkable event resulted in the collection of an impressive 223 units of blood in a single day—a testament to the dedication and hard work of all involved. Despite being too young to donate blood themselves, the NSS volunteers, under Mr. Sajan’s guidance, displayed exceptional commitment and enthusiasm. Mr. Sajan played a pivotal role in nurturing these young minds, instilling in them a deep understanding of the importance of voluntary blood donation and the value of selfless service. His mentorship and tireless efforts ensured that every volunteer felt motivated and equipped to contribute meaningfully to the cause. Working from dawn to dusk, Mr. Sajan and the volunteers coordinated the camp meticulously, overcoming challenges and demonstrating a true spirit of teamwork and compassion. Mr. Sajan's dedication to inculcating the values of hard work and community service in his students was evident in every aspect of the camp's execution, turning it into a tremendous achievement for the school and an inspiring example for the community. The preparation for the camp lasted one whole month and the venue was their own classrooms which gave hope to lot of patients in need of blood." |