What is the Young Blood for Life National High School Challenge?
The “Young Blood for Life” high school donor challenge is 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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Is my school already involved?
Check our "How to Join" section to see if your school has registered.
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How do I check to see how my school is doing in the Young Blood for Life Challenge?
Results will be updated regularly on our website.
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How long does “Young Blood for Life” last?
The campaign is a 28 week program which runs from October 23rd, 2009 to April 30th, 2010.
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How do I get involved?
Involvement couldn’t be easier. Simply register to donate blood at our permanent site clinics by filling out a sign-up sheet provided by your schools Youth Development Coordinator (YDC). The YDC will then organize a “LifeBus” shuttle to transport you and your fellow students to our permanent clinic. After you donate, the “Lifebus” will return you to your school.(in some areas, other arrangements will be made).
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Why should I 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 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 prize.
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What’s in it for me?
Your participation in the Young Blood for Life program will assist you in fulfilling your community service requirement.
Moreover, by helping to recruit blood donors within your school, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to save or improve lives of patients in need of blood products across Canada.
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What kind of recognition will I 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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What is a Youth Development Coordinator?
Youth Development Coordinators (YDC) work closely with Canadian Blood Services Community Development Coordinators to recruit blood donors and promote blood donor clinics in their school.
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What sort of commitment do I have do give?
As a Youth Development Coordinator, you will register your school at the fixed site clinic nearest your school. You must determine the number of eligible students (17+ years) at your school. You will promote blood donation among your peers, encouraging them to sign up for a “LifeBus” donor shuttle to our permanent site in your community. Canadian Blood Services will provide you with sign-up sheets and promotional materials, such as brochures and posters to help promote the Challenge. You will work closely with a Canadian Blood Services Community Development Coordinator to register students and organize shuttles to our clinic.
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Can I put this on my resume?
If you become a Youth Development Coordinator, your work as a blood donor recruiter in your school demonstrates to prospective employers your ability to communicate, organize and lead.
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Will this count towards my community hours?
Your participation in the High School Peer Recruitment Workshop as a Youth Development Champion will count towards your volunteer civic service credit.
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What resources and tools will Canadian Blood Services give me 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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Do I have to be 17 to be a YDC?
You don’t need to be 17 to be a YDC. However, you must be 17 or older to donate blood.
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Do I have to be a blood donor to be a YDC?
You are not required to be a blood donor. Your work as a blood donor recruiter in your school is another invaluable contribution to Canada’s blood system.
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Do I have to be a YDC to volunteer with Canadian Blood Services?
No. Canadian Blood Services has many other opportunities for our volunteers. Please visit the Volunteer section of our website, or call our toll-free line at 1 888 2DONATE (1 888 236 6283).
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