How did you decide to create the “Alaya liniya” as a club?
The idea of such community came to me a long time ago, when I was a student. I graduated in 2006, began to work there and then the blood transfusion station came to our university, as an employee, I donated blood. The idea to unite people around blood donation appeared at the beginning of 2018: colleagues suggested that such a desire can be formalized in the project and apply for the Presidential Grants Fund. I did this and won the grant competition. It is called the club because this word sets the correct meaning and tone, reflects close people's cooperation for the common cause. Club has simple and clear meaning. We chose the name from a variety of options by voting and settled on the “Alaya liniya”.
What new options did the Presidental grand give you?
It brought us new opportunities, as we clearly understood the stages of the club creationing. The first and most important thing we did was go to Voronezh to visit our friends from the Kachely donor movement. We found out how they created a group on the VKontakte social network, how it works and helps, how people interact on the donor topic. And so, based on the experience of colleagues from a neighboring region, we created a group of donor assets on the basis of Southwestern State University in Kursk with the full support of Rector Sergei Gennadevich Emelyanov. It was getting bigger not only because of students, but also of graduates. Opportunities were opened, first of all, in each other, in the exchange of experience, in joint planning of club life, in how we want to develop and help.
Tell us about the participants of your club.
These are concerned people. For medical reasons, some cannot donate blood, but want to help organize proper blood supply. These are 2-3 year students, graduates, six people from different faculties. We were preparing the project and asked for help, these guys were the first to respond. There are already decent newcomers – 1st year students join the work as volunteers. More than a year has passed, the club is regularly being updated, we all have gained confidence, and now there is no need in me in managing all the processes, the guys organize themselves perfectly. A green corridor is always open for us at the university.
Can you call the “Alaya liniya” a well-functioning structure with clear goals and working to a plan, or it is the club in the process of creative self-organization?
We were preparing the project and certainly were planning to structure the initial ideas. We managed many, but in some ways spontaneity and randomness persisted. Thanks to the grant, we fine-tuned our work. As for the Donor Day, everything is clearly organized, and our task is to attract new people, volunteers among the students.
How is the preparation of donor actions organized at The Southwest State University?
We provide Donor Days in May and in November. In two weeks, we know the place, the audience we invite students. During this time, we prepare everything. On the first day, a mobile blood transfusion station arrives, and work for two days on blood supply, from 9 to 12 am. From each faculty, volunteers come in turn and curators inform about the exact time. Donors fill out a questionnaire, and after blood sampling, they rest, have tea with sweets, communicate, receive various souvenir products.
Do students and staff from other universities participate in Donor Day?
Only employees from our university participate. Of course, donor days are also held in other Kursk universities and the next goal for us is to unite with like-minded people. In the meantime, we are trying to do our job efficiently here.
And our traditional question: what would you wish to donors and people, who are going to join donor program?
If you may donate blood, you should do this. Later there can be no such opportunity. For example, I donated blood 32 times, but now I can’t. I was worried about, consulted with the head doctor of the blood transfusion station, and in the end, I had to accept this. My input is now organizational. Therefore, it is important to use the chance to help others while this chance exists. I wish donors not to be shy to declare about themselves, to talk about blood donation with friends and relatives. Invite your friends. You can help in various ways: donating blood, informing about actions, about the safety of donation, helping with the organization. I wish all people good health!