Interview with Stanislav Davydov

You joined the donor movement in 2008. How did it happen?

I was 22 years old, just a regular volunteer engaged in various initiatives in St. Petersburg—helping the homeless, HIV prevention, and other activities. My main focus was working with journalists. At some point, we decided to donate blood. It happened two days before my birthday—on December 13, 2008. That’s when I met my first mentor, Vladimir Kirillovich Krasnyakov, who was the Chief Physician of the St. Petersburg City Blood Transfusion Station at the time. Shortly afterward, at his invitation, I began working in this field as the leader of a public organization.

What challenges did you face at the beginning of your journey in the donor movement?

In 2008, the Blood Service was a difficult systemic case—weak advocacy, lack of infrastructure, and no structured interaction with donors. However, it was clear that the potential, people, and teams were there. At that time, those involved in promoting blood donation were operating on a very informal basis.In 2010, at the Blood Service Forum, I proposed an important initiative from the podium: the introduction of a donor recruitment specialist position within Blood Service institutions. Previously, advocacy efforts were managed by department heads, team leaders, or IT departments—there were no dedicated professionals for this critical public-facing role.Soon after, Blood Service institutions across Russia were allowed to employ specialists focused on promotion. The first such specialist appeared in St. Petersburg, followed by Moscow, and eventually in other leading institutions nationwide. This change enabled clear responsibilities to be assigned to individuals in each region, focusing specifically on promoting blood donation.Thanks to this, today there are specialists—and even entire departments, like in St. Petersburg and Moscow—working on donor advocacy across Russia, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok

Much credit also goes to Vladimir Kirillovich Krasnyakov, who laid the foundation for the modern Blood Service. He fully supported my ideas, trusted me and my team, which allowed us to implement our most ambitious projects. Whether it was organizing a donor train in St. Petersburg or integrating donor days into the city’s numerous festivals, his trust enabled these initiatives to succeed.

Additionally, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency’s launch of a state program for promoting blood donation gave the movement a significant boost, taking it to a new level.

You were among the pioneers of blood donation advocacy. Where did you gain knowledge and direction?

At the time, blood donation advocacy was in its infancy. Everyone looked to regions with any activity, and St. Petersburg was one of them. I gathered like-minded people and colleagues at events, consolidating and sharing our experiences.

Social media was also emerging, though it was unclear how to use it for communication with our target audience. We had to learn how to speak the same language as social media users and establish our presence there.We also collaborated with professionals from various industries outside of medicine and healthcare, adapting PR expertise to our unique field through trial and error. Some efforts succeeded, while others did not.

What milestones in your advocacy work are you particularly proud of?

I have three children, but I often say I have a fourth—our project to create the “Honorary Donor of St. Petersburg” award, one of the first regional awards after the “Honorary Donor of Moscow.” In 2017, a small team of like-minded individuals in St. Petersburg designed this award. Despite some resistance to our ideas, we eventually produced a beautiful insignia now proudly worn by over 5,000 city residents.

Second, my team and I initiated large-scale donor events in St. Petersburg, setting a standard for regions. We didn’t just spread awareness about blood donation; we showed how to organize impactful campaigns that resonated nationwide and elevated the importance of the donor movement among regional authorities.

Third, we established the institution of donor management as a distinct field within the Blood Service. From advocating for the role to building fully operational structures, today’s promotion specialists and departments owe much to these efforts.

What advice would you give to newcomers in donor recruitment and advocacy?

I encourage newcomers to learn from leading regions, embrace competition, and innovate. Develop unique, locally tailored initiatives that reflect your region’s identity—be it Mordovia, Chechnya, or Kamchatka. This localization highlights individual contributions and strengthens regional efforts. Avoid the temptation to follow well-trodden paths. Fresh ideas are key to advancing the field and achieving personal growth as a specialist.Lastly, always think broadly and seek new connections beyond your immediate circle. Attending unrelated events can lead to valuable partnerships, allowing you to expand your horizons and generate innovative ideas that stand the test of time.