Will You Answer The Call?

[ This post was written by Kathie Manchester, Director of Information Technology - and social media buff - at the Rhode Island Blood Center. ]

Donating blood is a commitment of time.

It makes you feel good because you’re giving back to the community. You’re helping others, and there’s a certain pride that comes with giving the gift of life. Blood is a resource that can’t be obtained in any other way than by people donating it.

It takes about an hour of your time. You’ll fill out a questionnaire and provide the center with information – stuff like your name, date of birth, address, phone number. “Hey, wait a second! My phone number? I’ve heard that after I donate, you’ll call me and then call and call and call…”

Blood centers struggle with the fine line of calling too much and not calling enough. We know a donor who makes their own appointment is more likely to keep them. We know there’s no perfect time to call a donor at home. People work during the day, have to pick up their children after work, then go home and make supper and then their phone starts ringing. There are all those calls from the telemarketers, and then there we are in the middle of it all, also trying to reach you! And all you want to do is sit down and have a quiet supper. We understand it completely!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked where I work. When I answer, “At the blood center,” I hear, “Oh, you guys are always calling me,” all too frequently. And then they quickly apologize and say, “It’s OK. I need the reminders.”

Federal laws control how and when we can call; just like the news at night (now playing at 7 p.m. because they realize you are too busy between 5-6:30 p.m. to sit and listen) we are also aware that you are busy during that time. Laws, however, say we must stop calling at a set time, so how else can we reach all our eligible donors in such a short amount of time?

Often, donors do need reminders to donate blood. It’s not in your stream of consciousness. It’s not a habit. It’s one more thing you have to fit into an already busy schedule. Blood centers are trying to fit donating into your already busy lives. We even have self-scheduling programs so you can make your own appointments, but we call to ensure that you understand how important you are and to make sure you’re given the chance to donate.

So the question is a simple one: “Will you answer the call?”

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A look at the author: Kathie Manchester

Kathie is the Director of Information Technology for the Rhode Island Blood Center and also serves as the blood center’s online voice. Kathie engages donors and fans using social media platforms such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. She describes herself as being, “passionate about all aspects of social media as a way of building long-term relationships with (our) donors.” Kathie is also active in organizing “Tweet-N-Greet Blood Drives” to enhance donor relationships with the Rhode Island Blood Center and to continue to build an online and in-person community of people passionate about donating blood.

You may contact Kathie via email (at kmanchester@ribc.org) and on Twitter – professionally (at @RIBloodCenter) or personally (at @Carloverkat).