What is the “Young Blood for Life” program?
The “Young Blood for Life” program is a national high school donor recruitment initiative. It includes a one-day Workshop, in which senior and junior students, nominated by school officials, are trained to recruit their peers to donate blood at a Canadian Blood Services’ fixed site clinic or mobile clinic at their school. There is also a “Young Blood for Life” high school donor challenge, a friendly and healthy competition between schools across the country. The challenge is open to all participating secondary schools in the geographic areas of Canadian Blood Services’ fixed site clinics.
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Why should my school get involved?
A recent survey found that over half of Canadians say they or a family member have required blood or blood products. In the next year, Canadian Blood Services must recruit more than 90,000 new donors. It’s particularly important that we recruit teenage donors.
Besides saving lives, the winning school will receive an educational grant for their upcoming graduation. The challenge winners are calculated based on overall participation. Schools are able to recruit their friends, family, neighbours and teachers.
You will have the opportunity to donate more than once during the duration of the challenge, thus improving your school’s chances of winning a national or local prize.
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How long does the “Young Blood for Life Challenge” last?
The challenge runs from October 23rd, 2009 to April 30th, 2010.
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How does my school get involved?
A Youth Development Coordinator (YDC) will register your school at a fixed site clinic nearest your school. The YDC will then determine the number of eligible students (17+ years) at your school, and will encourage students to sign up for a “Lifebus” donor shuttle to our permanent site in your community.. (in some areas, other arrangements will be made).
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How many students do I need to make this program successful in my school?
“Young Blood for Life” challenge winners are not selected based on total number of donations. Rather, the winners are calculated based on overall participation. Schools are able to recruit their friends, family, neighbours and teachers.
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What type of recognition will my school get?
Besides saving lives, the winning school will receive an educational grant for their upcoming graduation.
When the Challenge is over and winners determined, Canadian Blood Services will publicize the results with media in the winners’ communities, and in “Bloodlines”, our national newsmagazine available to donors, volunteers and our corporate sponsors.
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How do I know if my school is already involved?
Check our website to see if your school has been registered.
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What does my school have to commit to in order to be involved?
A Youth Development Coordinator - a specially-trained student will register your school at the Canadian Blood Services’ fixed site clinic in your community. Your fellow students, your teachers, family and friends can also donate as part of your school’s participation in the challenge.
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What resources and tools will Canadian Blood Services give my school in order to be successful?
Canadian Blood Services will provide sign-up sheets, as well as promotional materials such as brochures, posters and blood recipient testimonials confirming the significant impact of donation on others.
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How do I check to see how my school is doing in the challenge?
Results will be updated regularly on our website.
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What is a Youth Development Coordinator?
A Youth Development Coordinator works closely with a Canadian Blood Services Community Development Coordinator to recruit blood donors and promote blood donor clinics in their school.
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