< Blood Service News - 01.11.2010

Blood Donors Active on Facebook

Facebook has become a popular platform used by blood donors and people who have needed blood to exchange experiences. The Blood Service directly uses Facebook to post updates on the demand for blood and on new services. We created the Blood Service Facebook page a year ago, and already it has more than 50,000 users, approximately 36,000 of them active.

On Facebook, blood donors are eager to share their experiences of donating blood for the first time, or the hundredth time, and always receive encouragement from other blood donors. Blood donors ask questions, give feedback, and discuss topics actively.

Facebook has also become a channel for those who have received help through blood products to offer their thanks directly to the blood donors. It is a two-way street: blood donors can see in practice how they have helped, and those receiving help can see how enthusiastic the donors are.

A Number of Channels for Inviting Blood Donors

Regular donations are the best way to guarantee sufficient supply of products derived from blood every day.

 At the Blood Service, we hope that blood donors will donate two or three times a year. The demand for blood varies from one hospital to the next and donors with a certain blood type are called in when necessary via a number of channels.

Many blood donors have told us that they like to be called in by a text message. We have been using text messages at the Blood Service for more than 10 years now, and every month we send approximately 35,000 of them. We also send out post cards to donors whenever a mobile blood collection unit is coming to their area. 

Facebook is a great addition to the traditional channels. We will post a message on Facebook when, for example, blood donors are required urgently. One can see the up-to-date blood supply situation on Facebook and potential donors can take a test to see whether they would be able to give blood.