Blood transfusions are a critical and lifesaving procedure required in many common operations. While the requirement of a steady blood supply remains vital for completing surgeries, assisting childbirth, treating illnesses, and much more, data shows that blood transfusion rates have steadily declined by over 30% in the past decade. Additionally, the advent of the pandemic produced a further spike in the reduction of blood donations occurring across the country, leaving education and awareness on the importance of giving blood and an increase in repeat donors nationwide exceptionally important.
In exploring how to maximally contribute to the cause, our research confirmed many benefits in targeting the young adult population, namely 18 - 24-year-olds. This age group is currently the least represented among donors, reports the lowest awareness and knowledge level around blood donation, and is the most important given their ability to convert into repeat donors for multiple generations to come. For these reasons, our group sought to increase motivation to donate blood amongst eligible college students, aged 18 - 24, specifically focusing on those who have never donated before.
Problem: Blood donation rates among college age students in the last few years have been steadily decreasing, especially as the pandemic has impacted the frequency of and access to drives.
Goal: Design a product or system for increasing college students’ awareness of the need for blood donation and motivation to contribute.
The Blood-Mini takes the form of a semi-permanent kiosk installation that serves as an intermediate resource in between a simple advertisement and full donation center. With multiple modes and functions, it serves as a method of initial engagement, information providing tool, and means of executing the steps needed for donating. The kiosk is installed in a high-traffic location on campus, such as a student center. It first works by engaging students with its creative data visualization displays. If a student is interested, they can interact with the kiosk to learn more about the need for blood donation, positive benefits, donation process, eligibility requirements, upcoming drive information, and even incentives offered at the school. Furthermore, the system will allow for on-the-spot registration and scheduling, and in some cases could even function as a donation site itself.
Blood transfusions are a critical and lifesaving procedure required in many common operations. While the requirement of a steady blood supply remains vital for completing surgeries, assisting childbirth, treating illnesses, and much more, data shows that blood transfusion rates have steadily declined by over 30% in the past decade. Additionally, the advent of the pandemic produced a further spike in the reduction of blood donations occurring across the country, leaving education and awareness on the importance of giving blood and an increase in repeat donors nationwide exceptionally important.
In exploring how to maximally contribute to the cause, our research confirmed many benefits in targeting the young adult population, namely 18 - 24-year-olds. This age group is currently the least represented among donors, reports the lowest awareness and knowledge level around blood donation, and is the most important given their ability to convert into repeat donors for multiple generations to come. For these reasons, our group sought to increase motivation to donate blood amongst eligible college students, aged 18 - 24, specifically focusing on those who have never donated before.
Problem: Blood donation rates among college age students in the last few years have been steadily decreasing, especially as the pandemic has impacted the frequency of and access to drives.
Goal: Design a product or system for increasing college students’ awareness of the need for blood donation and motivation to contribute.
The Blood-Mini takes the form of a semi-permanent kiosk installation that serves as an intermediate resource in between a simple advertisement and full donation center. With multiple modes and functions, it serves as a method of initial engagement, information providing tool, and means of executing the steps needed for donating. The kiosk is installed in a high-traffic location on campus, such as a student center. It first works by engaging students with its creative data visualization displays. If a student is interested, they can interact with the kiosk to learn more about the need for blood donation, positive benefits, donation process, eligibility requirements, upcoming drive information, and even incentives offered at the school. Furthermore, the system will allow for on-the-spot registration and scheduling, and in some cases could even function as a donation site itself.
How can we engage busy college students, convey the importance of blood donation, and provide a convenient way for students to become involved?
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