WHAT´S CLUB 25


"Pledge 25" is a Philippine National Red Cross Youth Department project, started in 1999, set up to recruit young volunteers as blood donors. The project emphasizes the value of saving lives by giving blood.


The Red Cross "Pledge 25", also called "Club 25", started in Zimbabwe in 1989 to target an untapped pool of low-risk donors. A student suggested that young people should commit to give blood 25 times by age 25. Now, "Club 25" members donate around 70% of the blood collected in Zimbabwe. "Club 25" has spread around the world.

The Philippine initiative is the first Red Cross Red Crescent involvement in this project. Young blood donors pledge to donate blood three to four times a year, from the age of 18 to 25 years old. After this, they will join other blood donors´ groups and continue donating blood. They also work to recruit new donors. The technical aspects are handled in cooperation with the National Blood Services.


Club 25 is designed for young people not only to give blood to save life, but also to attend a blood centers, learn about healthy lifestyles and share what they have learned with their community. These young blood donors can also remain active in health promotion activities by fighting against HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and other health risk behaviors, as well as promoting, for example, first aid, good nutrition, physical exercise and road safety.

ACTION PLAN FOR STARTING A "CLUB 25"UNIT

 

1. POLICY:

 

To recruit young volunteers as blood donors so that young people will be committed to give blood 25 times by age 25.

2. OBJECTIVES:

The objectives are to

  • To organize a youth group who will work to encourage regular blood donors among the youth sector.
  • To create a group of young blood donor recruiters.
  • To promote the participation of women in voluntary blood donation.
  • To instill into both young and old alike, the value of saving others' lives by voluntary blood donation.
  • To create a lifelong commitment in college leavers to the concept of regular donation of safe blood after they leave college.

3. SCOPE :

  • Blood donors aged 18-25 years who have donated at least 2 donations a year.
  • `First-time´donors who commit to giving blood regularly (2-3 donations a year).

4. Registration of the Students

  • May announce the news about the formation of Club 25 through the Notice Boards.

  • Intimation to Students by NSS Program officer. He may hand over a registration form that must be signed and returned by a specific deadline by interested students.

  • Since many of the events are team events, we may encourage students to find a friend or two to join the club with them.

5. Activities of Club 25

  • The Club may elect a local administrative committee to organize activities, i.e. a national youth blood donor activity or celebrations for the World Blood Donor Day (June 14), National Blood Donation Day-October 1,World AIDS Day-December 1.
  • Peer promoters may be elected to assist the Blood Service in the recruitment of voluntary blood donors from low-risk populations and in turn the Blood Service supervises and supports the Club.
  • Each Club can adopt one blood bank close to the unit in respect of their local need.
  • The young people may be educated about risk behavior helping ensure that they remain HIV negative.
  • Club 25 could arrange 1 or 2 blood donation camps with their volunteers, a number of camps department wise in their Colleges.
  • Trained volunteers of Club 25 may go out in the community to organize blood donation awareness session.
  • Club 25 could maintain the donor database and help the people of the locality in respect of rare group blood need.
  • The Club 25 may launch thalassaemia and AIDS awareness program in the locality to reduce blood requirement for thalassaemia in future generations and ensure safe blood transfusion.
  • Rotary, Lions, Inner Wheel Clubs may be involved to support these activities.
  • Club 25 could revolve round Education, Motivation, Donation and recognition of Donors.
  • The Short term programs to recruit the donors of today and long term programs to recruit the donors of tomorrow should be planned.
  • Club 25 could involve the print and electronic media and advertising agencies to help them in this program.
  • The trained volunteers of Club 25 may go to nearby schools by appointment to conduct awareness session for High School and Higher Secondary Students with the help of IEC Materials.
  • Club 25 could honor donors after 5/10 donations on World Blood Donors Day as part of the program to retain donors.
  • Club 25 should find a responsible, dedicated and committed person to drive the program.
  • Should gain commitment and support from the blood center for promoting VBD.
  • Should Monitor, evaluate, and change the program until it works for the club.

6. Sources of help

  • For funding Club 25 could depend on State Govt, Kerala State AIDS Control Society, State Blood Transfusion Council and National Service Scheme.

  • The technical aspects could be handled in cooperation with the Regional Blood Transfusion Centres.

7. Participation & Recognition for the Students

  • Recognition as role models for saving lives within the community and beyond.

  • Access for members to adequate and appropriate information and advice on how to protect themselves from HIV and other infections.

  • Acquisition of leadership skills for personal development and growth through social interaction at different levels.

  • Recognition on special achievements and for "Club 25" membership.

  • Participation in education visits and meetings for the "Club 25 ".

    For any help please contact The Public Relations Officer,TERUMO PENPOL Limited at mobile number 93880 22400 or at telephone number 3015602.


    Regards & Thanks,
     
    Ms. Baby P S
    PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
    TERUMO PENPOL Limited,
    SASTHAMANGALAM,
    TRIVANDRUM, KERALA,
    INDIA    .
     
    Off: 00 91 471 3015602,
    Mob: 00 91 93880 22400,
    Res: 00 91 471 2553792