Below is a calendar of suggested activities to help you in the local planning and promotion of Blood Collectors Week:

Six to twelve months out

• Register your blood center via this website
  
• Begin promotion at your blood center by displaying promotional materials
  
• Announce and promote at department staff meetings
  
• Add the event to staffing/blood center calendars
  
• Link your blood center’s website to the Blood Collectors Week website
  
• Begin discussions with area businesses about sponsoring a recognition event at your blood center during
  Blood Collectors Week (e.g. luncheons, breakfasts, promotional give-aways, monetary sponsorships)
• Check back for new information and helpful materials on www.bloodcollectors.org
• Send a proclamation to your governor/mayor declaring National Blood Collectors Week a city or state
  recognition week
  
• Submit success stories!

Three to six months out

• Increase promotion and visibility of Blood Collectors Week within your blood center
  (e.g. posters, postcards to donors)
  
• Begin planning and promotion of celebratory events during Blood Collectors Week
  (invite local blood recipient(s)/local community leaders and/or politicians to speak at the event)
  
• Announce and promote at department staff meetings
  
• Check back for new information and helpful materials on www.bloodcollectors.org
  
• Submit success stories!

One to three months out

• Place your order for promotional materials
  
• Confirm recognition event details
  
• Confirm sponsor(s) for local celebratory events
  
• Invite staff, senior management, donors, local officials and community leaders to recognition celebration
  
• Inform blood center staff of celebratory events planned for Blood Collectors Week
  
• Announce and promote at department staff meetings
  
• Check back for new information and helpful materials on www.bloodcollectors.org
  
• Submit success stories!

One to two weeks out

• Prepare recognition certificates for staff
  
• Secure any necessary audio-visual equipment for celebratory events
  
• Confirm celebratory event details and participants
  
• Send a media alert/press kit to encourage media coverage of the recognition week and
  related celebratory events
  
• Announce and promote at department staff meetings
  
• Check back for new information and helpful materials on www.bloodcollectors.org
  
• Submit success stories!

Week of the Event

• Hold celebratory activities
  
• Pass out recognition certificates
  
• Distribute give-aways to all staff members
  
• Take all opportunities to recognize and promote the week within your blood center!
  
• Announce and promote at department staff meetings
  
• Check back for new information and helpful materials on www.bloodcollectors.org
  
• Submit success stories!

Following Event

• Share your celebration success stories, photos and best practices via the Blood Collectors website
  
• Send out thank you letters to event participants—encourage them to mark their calendars for 2008!
  
• Continue to recognize the collection staff and their outstanding contributions in securing a safe and
  adequate blood supply and creating a positive donor experience
  
• Check back for new information and helpful materials on www.bloodcollectors.org
  
• Submit success stories!