The University of Alabama at Birmingham encourages its employees to aid the UAB Hospital’s effort in becoming self-sufficient by giving blood regularly. Donors can be rewarded for their gift by signing up for UAB TouchPoints, a new donor recognition program, at www.uabtouchpoints.org.

Anthony Patterson, associate vice president of UAB Hospital, shows one of the shirts available to blood donors in the new blood donor room, located on the second floor concourse of the North Pavilion, next to Starbucks and the new gift shop.

“We appreciate employees stepping up to the plate and helping us with their donations,” says UAB Hospital CEO Michael Waldrum, M.D. “TouchPoints is one of the ways we can show our appreciation.

“I think our donors also believe it’s important that UAB and UAB Hospital take care of the community in general,” Waldrum says. “Many of the patients we take care of are family members or loved ones of our employees. Giving blood is one of the ways we can support our friends and colleagues, and TouchPoints is a way to reward our donors for their support.”

The hospital introduced TouchPoints this past fall. Donors who log on and sign up at www.uabtouchpoints.org will be awarded 10,000 UAB TouchPoints for every successful donation. Once the donor reaches 50,000, or after five donations, those points can be exchanged for prizes.

There are specific items available for every level of donation from 50,000 up to 120,000. Some of the items include:
• an electronic Sudoku (50,000)
• a 6-in-1 golf tool set (60,000)
• a desktop radio (90,000)
• a digital photo gallery frame (100,000)
• a classic golf bag cover (100,000)
• a women’s tote bag (110,000)
• the ultimate Weekend Getaway Package (120,000)

You must register in order to cash in points.  All available gifts can be viewed at www.uabtouchpoints.org.

Donors can sign up for UAB TouchPoints now and begin collecting points with the June 27 and June 29-July 3 blood drive being held in the second floor atrium of UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion. Times for the drive on June 27 and June 29-July 2 are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 3.

Donors can give blood every eight weeks thereafter in the new donor room, which is  located on the second floor concourse of the North Pavilion, next to Starbucks and the new gift shop. The 1,743-square-foot space boasts four state-of-the-art multi-media chairs, each with a built-in computer and flat screen monitor. Donors can watch TV or DVDs or surf the Internet while donating.

Six donors per hour can be processed through the facility, and – for those waiting to donate – there is a 42-inch LCD TV in the guest area.

If you are unable to donate during the July blood drive but would like to do so at another time, call 996-9851 or make an appointment online at www.givelife.org using sponsor code UAB. Remember to bring a photo ID when donating blood.

“Remember that blood is the ultimate gift you can give someone,” says Marisa Marques, M.D., medical director of the hospital Transfusion Service.