The Impact of an Undergraduate Biology Class on Donor Recruitment at a Hospital-Based Blood Donor Center

Authors

Alexis R. Peedin, Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Yara A. Park, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hil
Marshall A. Mazepa, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Thomas Neish, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Jay S. Raval, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel HilDepartment of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
R Chad Siniard, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-8-2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: A biology class, BIOL 294H, taught undergraduates about platelet donation while partnering with the University of North Carolina's (UNC's) hospital-based Blood Donation Center to recruit apheresis platelet donors. We identified our platelet donors' demographics and learned how BIOL 294H affected recruitment.

METHODS: Every platelet donor presenting to the UNC Blood Donation Center from February 7, 2017, to March 10, 2017, was asked to complete an electronic 10-question survey.

RESULTS: A total of 159 unique donors completed the survey; 64% were female and 75% were between ages 18 and 25 years. Overall, 70% were UNC undergraduate students. Over half (56%) reported first learning about platelet donation through word of mouth, and 22% cited specific efforts associated with BIOL 294H.

CONCLUSIONS: Recruitment of undergraduate platelet donors primarily included BIOL 294H peer interactions and deliverables from the class, such as social media updates and events on campus. The sustained recruiting efforts of our students over many years contributed to recruitment of a majority of our platelet donors.

Recommended Citation

Peedin AR, Park YA, Mazepa MA, Siniard RC, Neish T, Raval JS. The Impact of an Undergraduate Biology Class on Donor Recruitment at a Hospital-Based Blood Donor Center. Am J Clin Pathol. 2020 Feb 8;153(3):368-373. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqz177. PMID: 31783402.