“We wanted to include late afternoon/evening hours at least one day a week, to better serve employees for whom evenings are a more convenient time to donate,” said Ann Smith, the donor room manager.

Hospital administration is encouraging managers to allow employees to donate on the clock, as long as clinical care is not compromised. Reservations are encouraged and can be made at the new UAB TouchPoints Web site at www.uabtouchpoints.org.

UAB TouchPoints is the new recognition program instituted by UAB. For each donation at the blood donor room or a UAB campus blood drive, UAB employees, students and faculty can earn TouchPoints redeemable for fine gifts or a weekend getaway. Each successful donation earns the participant 10,000 TouchPoints. After the fifth donation, TouchPoints may be redeemed for gifts such as electronics, luggage, tools or athletic equipment. TouchPoints can also be saved and used for a weekend getaway at any participating Marriott resort. The getaway requires 120,000 TouchPoints.

TouchPoints will be awarded for any donation made at a UAB sponsored blood drive since Jan. 2007, but participants need to register on the UAB TouchPoints Web site by April 1 to collect those points already earned.

UAB and the Red Cross have launched an ambitious partnership to help make UAB Hospital self sufficient in blood needs. A new Blood Management Program is in place, looking at ways to decrease demand and increase donation.

Faculty, students and staff are encourage to become regular blood donors. Go to www.uabtouchpoints.org to register, make reservations and get more information.