My comment:
The American Red Cross blood donor app, released September 2014, is an existing mechanism by which existing, committed, repeat blood donors could be given timely information about need. Current media and curbside sign appeals are typically blanket, "Critical Need Now" and seem the norm, rather than the exception. What's a prospective donor to think? The app is available after first donation, so the large number of first time donors who respond when there is a media promoted tragedy would not be informed, but existing, currently eligible donors, could be accurately informed in real time of the time sensitive need for their blood type and blood product, whether whole blood, packed double red cells, platelets, or plasma. Those with already scheduled appointments could be accurately informed of an appropriate rescheduling suggestion if a surge of new or uninformed donors has created a temporary oversupply. Similarly, if there is a spike in need due to a crisis not well promoted in the media, accurate, timely, targeted alerts could be sent to those with the app. Disclosures: I am an ARC volunteer and platelet donor, I was an app explainer at the 2014 Fenway 9/11 blood drive, I volunteered at the first Fenway 9/11 blood drive in 2003, providing cold water bottles to the more than 1,800 people who came, more than 5 times the staff anticipated, and I volunteered at a tiny (goal 30), previously scheduled blood drive at a church in a suburb of Boston on 9/12 in 2001. I offered my cell phone to schedule a future appointment to the hundreds that waited patiently in the hot sun that day despite the certain knowledge the the tiny staff and small space meant they couldn't possibly donate at that location that day. For many, the need to take action, positive, life affirming action to refute such tragedy, is overwhelming and will not be subject to reason. They will go, and wait, and not reschedule. Their need is immediate, and is about them, not the eventual recipient of their donation. More accurate tracking of the need for blood in near real time, and communicating that information to the experienced donors who have a track record of being responsive to the ongoing needs of patients, may reduce the extent of publicized crises' surges of supply, and bring more donors in when unpublicized deficits occur, such as the predictable and lamentably underreported deficits in January and August. I applaud your proposal, and if this 39 year ARC volunteer and donor can help make it a reality, I'll happily partner with you. Best wishes for success!