Interview with Anastasia Volchenkova

Twice a year, the Management Company of the special economic zone "Dubna" organizes and conducts Donor Days. Donor campaigns are attended not only by its and resident company’s employees but also from significant organizations in the city of Dubna. Anastasia Volchenkova, marketing and PR director of the joint-stock company “Special economic zone of technical-innovative type“ Dubna ”, tells about the specifics of donor actions.

How did the donor movement start in the company?

Our donor movement emerged in 2019. And since then, the Donor Day action has become an integral tradition for the special economic zone. It takes place twice a year. It is important to note that the number of young specialists willing to donate blood is increasing. My colleagues actively participate as donors, and the number of permanent participants in these actions grows from time to time. There is great potential for such growth. There are 170 resident companies on the territory of the economic zone, with about 5,000 specialists at their enterprises. It is significant that some of the companies produce medical products.

Tell us about your cooperation with the Moscow Regional Blood Transfusion Station. How did the interaction begin, how did it develop?

Initially, the initiative to hold Donor Days on an ongoing basis came from the Management Company of the special economic zone "Dubna". To organize this event, we contacted the regional blood transfusion station. It agreed with long-term cooperation on voluntary blood donation within the framework of the state program "Blood Service". The entire team of the Management Company takes part in the preparation of the event. First, the site for the donation is determined, and then an order is prepared for holding the Donor Day. Based on this document, responsible employees are determined in various areas, including advertising, equipment of the premises, interaction with employees of the blood transfusion station, notification of employees of resident companies.

How will potential donors find out about this event?

We inform in advance about the campaign and urge the participants of the Donor Days to donate blood consciously, understanding the importance of such an event. Before each donor action, we use all media resources, including our website, city radio stations, newspapers, and online publications. In addition, we e-mail all employees and partners the necessary information to prepare for the donation procedure.

How are donor actions going on, is there a single scenario for their implementation?

Donor actions follow the standard scenario. Before filling out the questionnaires, the body temperature of potential donors is measured and then they must be examined by a doctor, during which they are checked against a single donation base. A portion of blood from a finger determines its group and hemoglobin level, as well as the presence or absence of antibodies to COVID-19. After the donor is found fit for the donation procedure, he drinks tea with cookies and donates blood.

Each donation procedure is thoroughly prepared and organized by a team of medical professionals, including doctors, laboratory technicians, operating theater nurses and registrars. The place is equipped with special chairs and medical stirrer scales, which makes the blood collection procedure absolutely safe and maintains the quality indicators of blood components.

What has changed in the organization of actions during the pandemic?

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the conditions for the Donor Day in the SEZ "Dubna" have been changed. First of all, this concerned the safety of the donors themselves, so the number of participants in the free action should not exceed 50 people. Earlier, for donor actions, a blood collection point was equipped in the exhibition area for innovative projects of residents on the ground floor of the Congress Center. Then, in order to comply with security measures, the donation procedure was transferred to a large hall, where the required distance between those wishing to donate blood can be observed without any problems. In some cases, the procedure took place not in the building of the Congress Center, but directly inside the mobile complex of the blood transfusion station. The availability of disposable medical masks and sanitizers, as well as maintaining a safe distance, allows us to comply with all precautions.

What motivates employees to donate?

The main motivating factor for our employees is conscious help to people and especially children. The blood collected on such days is sent, first of all, to children's medical institutions, to perinatal centers in the Moscow region and hospitals for patients with COVID-19. For many of our donors, it is important that their blood is used for blood transfusion therapy in the children's department of the Moscow Regional Oncological Dispensary and in the children's burn center. Moreover, a standard one-time blood sampling, which is 450 ml, may be enough for the necessary therapy for three children. In addition, it is very important that there is always enough blood so that help arrives on time. In this regard, you can rely on us - during the Donor Days, thanks to the staff of the SEZ "Dubna", at least 180 liters of donor blood were procured.

We have the practice of holding an award ceremony for participants in the Donor Day for their active participation in the donor movement. As a result of the action, representatives of the Management Company of SEZ "Dubna" present distinguished employees with letters of thanks from the Moscow Regional Blood Transfusion Station, as well as memorable prizes in the form of a miniature mobile station.

And our traditional question: what would you wish to donors and people, who are going to join the donor program?

First of all, good health! We really want people not to perceive donation as a heroic act. This should become the norm: if you can help, if health allows and there is such an opportunity - help. Being a donor is a noble mission, and our company has a lot of employees who are ready to help others in difficult times, to share their blood.

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