Problem Statement:

While blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Providing safe and adequate blood should be an integral part of every country’s national health care policy and infrastructure.

 

Target Group:

Young, healthy individuals who are eligible to become first-time blood and stem cell donors.

 

Proposed Solution:

Blood4All is a global initiative that aims to engage the public through social media to spark conversations regarding the global need for blood donations and how everyone can contribute.

 

The project started with the organization of a blood drive in January, instigated by the shortage of blood supply at the Thai Red Cross Society. Upon realizing the remarkable impact mass blood donations have, The Bangkok Hub is now continuing the effort towards increased blood donations, which includes spreading awareness around how social distancing measures and fear of the pandemic has steered potential donors away, depleting the National Blood Center's blood supply and consequently disrupting the supply chain across Thailand.

 

Hub Activities:

Aside from promoting awareness on the topic and organizing blood drives, the Bangkok Hub is also committed to highlight the importance of registration to be voluntary stem cell donors with the Red Cross Stemcell Registry.

 

Short & Long-Term Goals/Results:

The short-term goals of Blood4All Bangkok include:

1. To narrow the gap between supply and demand of blood in Thailand through regular blood drives

2. To increase awareness around the need for blood donation and stem cell registry through digital initiatives and programs

3. To debunk misconceptions regarding blood and stem cell donations

 

Our long-term action plan includes:

1. To expand our regular blood drives beyond the Thai Red Cross main blood bank at National Blood Center;

2. To partner with Thai Red Cross on joint-projects or annual events such as World Marrow Donor Day;

3. To collaborate with Blood4All global team to coordinate activities;

4. To create the blueprint for an application to help improve data visualization of blood donation mobile centers and real time blood donation shortage; and

5. To influence community behavior by normalizing blood donation as part of community life.

 

The goals above collectively aim to change the way people think and talk about blood donation, ultimately improving the state of global health.​

 

Available Metrics:

35 donations yielded in Q1 2021, in which we educated friends and colleagues on the blood shortage. Out of 35 blood donors, 17 people (49%) were first-time donors.

 

Collaborators:

Thai Red Cross Society