WHEN IS THE “THANK THE DONOR®” PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY THE BLOOD CENTER?
The TtD project team began planning in Spring 2021, and the program was launched in early 2022.
WHAT HOSPITALS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE “THANK THE DONOR®” PROGRAM?
Currently, the program is participating in the Geisinger health system, Grand View Health, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, Summit Medical Group, and the St. Luke’s University Health Network.
HOW DOES THE “THANK THE DONOR®” PROGRAM WORK?
The TtD program starts with our unique and generous blood donors. When they visit us to give the gift of life, they receive information on the TtD program. At this time, we also make sure we have the correct contact information on file.
All whole blood, red cell, and platelet donations are tagged with a green TtD label and delivered to our community hospitals. It then becomes the hospital’s staff’s responsibility to ensure that any patient receiving a transfusion also receives information on the TtD program. This information comes via a postcard given to the recipient and their family by nursing staff, who will also be trained to speak with their patients about the program. The green postcard also contains any information needed for the patient, their family, or their caregivers to send a message of thanks to their donor(s) for their generosity.