19.08.2005

Conductor: Marko Kass

Raporteur: Jevgenijs Drozdovs

RO: Funds should be spent on creating a website (which does not demand a lot of money). At the same time a media (TV, radio, press) campaign promoting the website as well as street campaigns are needed. If street campaign is appealing and insisting it is possible to recruit a big number of volunteer donors.

LT: The effective way of recruitment is getting in touch with youth organizations and organizing of special youth events.

EE: It is always effective when friends inform their friends about blood donation as it is the personal contact of people you trust. Youth and political organizations during special campaigns work on involvement of new blood donors by providing information on their websites.

DK: Personal contact is very important; media are very expensive. Recruitment is always effective during the youth events like special festivals when recruiters approach young people and ask them to register for the first donation and provide a small amount of blood for the test. During the recent festival in Denmark 471 young first time donors were recruited that way.

SG: It is essential to visit schools informing students on blood donation and encouraging them to visit blood centers. Raising of awareness by organizing of informative campaign is necessary.

WL: People are motivated if they know that their blood type is needed for helping patients.

FI: Communication Department of Finnish Red Cross deals with donor recruitment. It organizes challenge campaigns, mailing the persons on their 18^th birthday with the request to donate blood for the first time, promotion campaigns in universities, army.

DK: In some regions plays like "Dracula" take place on the streets in order to attract new donors.

FI: There was a rock musical during which information about blood donation was provided and hemoglobin test was carried. Certain number of tickets was given to blood donors.

IT: How to attract celebrities to participate in promotion? Valentino Rossi was just contacted by AVIS branch of his home city and he agreed to make poster pictures. For AVIS resolving of many issues is not much difficult as it is massive well recognizable organization, which has pyramid structure ( National – Local).

GR: The main issue is lack of funds. Greek federation has no enough financial support. Youth is not attracted well, though there are special activities like Festival and Congress of Greek blood donors. Young athletes participate in carrying symbolic torches (promoting blood donation) across the whole country.

EE: Should we approach people closer: in shopping centers, cinemas?

WL: It is very important to meet and speak directly to people, as they are persuaded the best by personal contact.

It is very effective to distribute promotional flyers in schools among students who will give them later to parents. As well it is necessary to place posters and organize presentations in schools and universities.

LT: Talking to students during the lections in universities.

EE: How to persuade, motivate new blood donors?

WL: Common phrases are not effective. Speaking directly and not formally helps to deliver the right message. For the start it is useful to ask a person what does she/he know about blood, about blood types.

DK: Great idea is to participate in local and national elections, as there is always big number of people and they are inspired to be socially active on these days.

EE: As the funds are restricted, the message should be clear, concise and effective.

RO: Grown ups are usually stressed but it is effective to contact them through their children.

FI: There is an idea of organizing writing competition on blood issues for students.

IT: AVIS (founded in 1927) has the growing number of members, at the moment there is 1 million of members. The organization is "visible" and has a positive image in the country. It is easier to get sponsors´ support, as from the collaboration with such organization both sides win.

RO: In Romania 1% of income tax may be paid to certain organizations. How to motivate people to give a part of their tax to blood donors organization?

IT: AVIS receives money for each blood donation (about 20 EUR) from the government. The funds are intended for promotional campaigns.