Unexpected Collaborations Cause Outpour of Donations at Blood Drive
April marked not only the start of a new season, but also National Volunteer Month! And despite the influx of pollen – much to our dismay – we at Tech Square ATL (TSQATL) are always in full spring, ready to team up with a great organization and help save the lives of other local community members!
The first Friday in April, we once again joined forces with the American Red Cross to host a Recess: Blood Drive in The Clubhouse. Participants of all ages stopped by (some waiting hours to donate!) to give the gift of life. In fact, we had our highest attendance to date – prepared to receive around 16 units of blood, we actually had to turn away donors because supplies had run out!
Word is that despite the desire to do a good deed, a big draw was the collaboration with Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. Those that donated received a “Be Cool. Give blood.” Snoopy t-shirt, which went viral on TikTok and actually increased donations by more than 40 percent!
As big proponents of the benefits of collaboration – and something we continuously strive to embed in our culture at TSQATL – it was rewarding to see the positive impact of an unexpected collaboration come to life. Speaking of rewards, donors also were entered into a raffle for a three-night trip to Sonoma County, California, for a special tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum.
Always focused on an educational angle, we also learned quite a bit about our community and blood donations in general. For instance, some of our participants were first-timers, while others have donated over 40 units of blood in their life! And the majority of blood collected that day was O positive, which is the type given to patients more than any other. Meanwhile, every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood and red blood cells must be used within 42 days (or less) – so the demand for blood is always dire.
All in all, our own collaboration with the American Red Cross produced 19 units of blood that day and we’re proud to be a continued partner of such a great cause!
What’s an unexpected collaboration you’ve witnessed or been part of? Let us know in the comments below.