Moderator: Rhonda M. Griffin

Co-Chair, AMAT African American Committee

 Speakers: Debra Brown, Community Relations Director

Lifeblood Mid-South Regional Blood CenterMemphis, Tennessee

Jami Tyska, In House Donation CoordinatorLifeChoice Hartford Hospital

Welcome and Introductions

Building and Embracing Community PartnershipsDebra Brown

Minority Donation Awareness Campaign at Hartford HospitalJami Tyska

Q&A

Presentation to the Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation

Building and Embracing Community and ProfessionalPartnerships and Relationships

By Debra BrownCommunity Relations Director

Lifeblood Mid-South Regional Blood CenterMemphis, Tennessee

Non-profit organization (501(c)3)The only local volunteer blood bankAffiliated with other community blood centers through a national association (www.americasblood.org)Six donor centers; eight mobile units150 employees$25 million annual revenue

The “Usual Suspects”Trauma patients: can require 50 or more unitsCancer patients: as few as 2, as many as 200Sickle Cell patients: up to 4 units per month for life

And more...Premature infantsKnee, hip and shoulder replacement patientsOrgan transplant recipientsBurn victimsPatients with low hemoglobin from common causes, like stomach ulcers or hemorrhoids.

Must be 16 years old with parental consent, or 17 on your ownWeigh at least 115 poundsBe in general good health

Research shows African Americans possess rare blood traitsTypes O and B are needed most in our communityApproximately half of our community’s population is African American and it is vital that they are blood donorsSickle Cell patients need up to 4 units of blood per month for lifeSince October 2012, Lifeblood has had 9200 African American donors

In 2012, Lifeblood saw a 30% increase in African American donations over FY11In the first quarter of FY13, there has been an 8% increase (or 3,383) in African American donors over last year

1. I’m afraid of needles2. I gave already3. I’m on medication4. I’m diabetic5. I have high BP6. I don’t have enough time7. I’m too old8. Someone else will do it9. I had cancer10. You don’t want my blood

Tuskegee ExperimentDistrust of clinical trialsDistrust of healthcare system

A 15 member council comprised of a diverse group of individuals who can use their spheres of influence to increase awareness and the importance of blood donationsMembers consist of community leaders, corporate, faith, non-profit, education, health and the community at largeMeetings are once per quarterGoal is to increase donationsStatus African American donations reportRecognition of volunteers via media meetings, etc.Provides spokespersons to promote Lifeblood’s connection and purpose with the community

Partnerships have been created with the following organizations to increase awareness and stress the importance of blood donationsLe Moyne Owen College – HBCUMemphis Urban League Young ProfessionalsThe Divine 9 Greek Letter OrganizationsMasonic OrganizationsSisterhood ShowcaseMemphis Black Expo

Partnerships have been created with the following organizations to increase awareness and stress the importance of blood donationsWest Tennessee Kidney Foundation World Kidney DayLupus FoundationBe the Match National Bone Marrow ProgramMid-South Transplant FoundationMemphis Medical Society & Bluff City Medical SocietyAmerican Heart AssociationSickle Cell Foundation of TennesseeHealth in the community

Partnerships have been created with the following organizations to increase awareness and stress the importance of blood donationsMemphis GrizzliesUniversity of MemphisMemphis RedbirdsSouthern Heritage ClassicCity of Memphis Parks and Recreation – Community CentersMississippi RiverKings

Donate blood…… 3x a yearHost a blood drive at your office or churchAsk someone to donateBecome an advocate

Donors forego T-shirts to help non-profits serving transfusion patientsMid-South Transplant FoundationSickle Cell FoundationAmerican Cancer SocietyLifeblood

Online loyalty and rewards programPoints for each donationDonor “store” with t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.Online appointment schedulingChoice of communication methodsEmailTelephoneTextwww.clublifeblood.org

June 9-15Week-long celebrationGoal to collect 1963 units of bloodPicnic and party at Audubon Park June 15Schedule a donation or to volunteer at www.DonorFest.org

www.lifeblood.org1-888-LIFEBLOOD(1-888-543-3256)

Twitter - @Lifeblood_OrgFacebook – Lifeblood Mid-South Regional

Blood Center

Thank you for listening and for inviting me to speak to the Association of Multicultural

Affairs in Transplantation

“Remember, you have the power to give.”“All it costs is a little love.”

~Authors Unknown

Minority Donation Awareness Campaign atHartford Hospital

Hartford, CT

• Increase awareness of the need for organ donation in minority communities within the hospital

• Increase the number of minority registered donors

Utilize key hospital champions to spread key messagesFocus on many cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds and unite them with the donation message

• First year, create large poster/mural in main lobby featuring hospital staff and “Why they are donors”

• Following years, use the same staff photos/quotes and create images for computer monitors/television screens throughout hospital

“To give "the-gift-of life" to others when your meaningful life has ended is unparalleled as a final contribution on this earth...”

Orlando Kirton, MD

Director of Surgery, Chief Division of General Surgery

Registered Organ & Tissue Donor

“...I have seen miracles that would not have been possible without organ donation...that is why I have been a designated donor from the moment it was offered to me at the DMV.”

Inam Kureshi, MDDirector, Department of

NeurosurgeryRegistered Organ & Tissue

Donor

• Focused article in hospital’s internal newsletter

•Set up Donor Registry table featuring hospital staff

Registered 65 donors in one day at the Donor Registry table in hospital lobby! Improved understanding within hospital and increased conversation

Contact Jami TyskaIn House Donation Coordinator for LifeChoiceHartford Hospital jtyska@harthosp.org

A Special Thanks to the Donation and Transplantation Community of Practice, HRSA, Mike Hudson

Thank You !

AMAT African American Committee