Custom Calendar Design from the United Blood Services

January 28, 2013 — Tags: inspiration | 4 Comments

Over the past few years, the United Blood Services (UBS) has sent desk calendars to donors. Even though that sounds a little boring, I look forward to them every year. The reason being that these calendars have been customized for donors in a very creative way. I wanted to take a few minutes to share.

In addition to letting donors know when they donated in the past year and when their contribution was used, the calendar incorporates the donor's name into the main pictureÂ associatedÂ with each month. One picture, for example, has the name spelled out with a well-choreographedÂ flock of birds. Another uses lily pads for the name.

My only complaint about the calendar is that the design isn't visible once it's folded into the indicated position. The calendar sits in a triangular fashion with the photo/design on one side and the date grid on the other. So, we're only able to see one. Oh well, I can always turn the calendar around whenever I need to see my name. :-)

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4 Comments

#1 Carol Brugman on 02.04.13 at 3:49 pm
Patrick,

I work for United Blood Services (at our national headquarters) and this calendar is one of my projects! Thank you for your kind comments! This desk calendar is becoming a special tradition of ours and a neat way that we can thank our dedicated blood donors — those who reach the Gold level of giving.

I'm glad you like the calendar. Thank you for being a blood donor and for helping patients who depend on lifesaving blood transfusions.

Carol
#2 Patrick Nichols on 02.09.13 at 2:39 pm
Thanks Carol! And thanks for the excellent calendars!
#3 Tobin Lefler on 02.12.13 at 8:04 am
I like the calendar as well. My only complaint is that it does not reflect all of the Platelet Donations that were given. Donating Platelets is very Crucial because of the very short shelf life. It also requires 1.5 to 2 hours in the chair at each donation. Hopefully next year's calendar will show Platelet donations as well. –Tobin
#4 Patrick Nichols on 02.14.13 at 9:15 pm
@Tobin – Yeah, that seems odd to leave off platelet donations.

I haven't made that type of donation yet. How do you typically feel afterwards? I didn't do so well the last few times I was connected to the apheresis machine, so there's a bit of hesitation. Someday I'll have to get over that…maybe. :-)