Class:
Not-for-Profit Promotion

Type:
More Than $10 Per Recipient

Objective:
To thank people for giving blood platelets and enourage them to become repeat donors.

Strategy and Execution:
The cost of blood platelets could be reduced at this hospital by increasing the number of blood donations. To encourage donations, the slogan "Others Live Because We Give" and a logo of a smiling person tossing a red heart between the hospital's name, the Blood Platelet Donor Center name, and the contact phone number was chosen. All hospital staff, volunteers, and family and friends of patients needing platelets were told they would receive a gift each time they donated platelets, with a gift of greater value each time they returned. The imprinted items were pins, t-shirts, totebags, ceramic mugs, beach towels and sweatshirts. In addition, birthday greetings went to each person who donated with "The Gift of Life" poem produced on a refrigerator magnet.

Results:
It was reported that 802 units of platelet donations were received, an increase of 347% from the previous year. Since the hospital did not have to purchase these units, a savings of $215,000 was realized.