Thank the Donor

programs

WHAT IS THE “THANK THE DONOR®” PROGRAM? “Thank the Donor®” (TtD) is a program that allows blood donors and transfusion recipients to connect anonymously, enabling the recipient to thank the donor for their lifesaving generosity via email.

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.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE “THANK THE DONOR®” PROGRAM?

There are many goals attached to the TtD program. These goals include, but are not limited to:

For the blood donor, create a stronger bond between themselves and the Blood Center by connecting them to someone whose life was directly saved through their generosity.
For the transfusion recipient, create a greater understanding as to the importance of replacing the blood they received, so that it is available for the next person in need of a lifesaving transfusion.
For our community hospitals, help the Blood Center to increase the community’s available blood supply, which is a critically important piece of the hospital’s daily operational activities. After all, it is only the blood donated that can save someone’s life.
For the Blood Center, establish a legitimate connection between the donor and the patient; increase awareness as to the very important role our organization plays in the community, and ultimately increase the available inventory within our community’s blood supply.