College of Business Administration

GROUP MEMBERS:

Brandon Welch
Michelle Rosenthal
Binh Nguyen
John Do
Heidi Burgess
Valerie Reid
Jeff Tabilin
Chris Bachman
Michelle Little

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Our group held blood drives simultaneously at two different locations in conjunction with the San Diego Blood Bank. One blood drive was held at San Diego State University in front of the freedom steps, while the other was held at Asset Marketing Systems in Scripps Ranch. There were many potential benefits of this social change project, including helping those whose lives depend upon blood transfusions. The San Diego Blood Bank currently has a blood shortage and only three percent of eligible donors donate blood on a regular basis. This problem is compounded by the fact that every two minutes someone in America needs a blood transfusion. Holding blood drives and raising public awareness of the problem is essential in keeping up with this high demand. Another benefit of donating blood is that every pint donated can save up to three lives. In the scope of this class, donating blood is ethically and socially responsible under several ethical frameworks.

Deontology is one ethical framework that supports the donation of blood. Deontologists would suggest that one should treat all involved as “ends as well as means to an end.” In the case of our blood drive, the recipients are ends in that our efforts support their health and that is reason enough to make personal sacrifice. They are means to an end, because by helping them, group members fulfill requirements for this class.

The ethic of care justifies holding a blood drive as well. In society, empathy for those in need result in an inherent social bond. Thoughts of the disadvantaged being dependent upon the generosity of society elicit a sense of caring from donors. Through this sense of caring the blood donor is simply promoting caring relationships. Another framework that is fitting is utilitarianism. Donating blood creates the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. Our group members and the blood donors were all inconvenienced through time and a small amount of pain. This all tolls about 85 people who made a small sacrifice. This small sacrifice greatly benefits blood recipients – whose lives depend upon the blood – and the Blood Bank staff – who are paid for their involvement. This great benefit to a total of around 240 people greatly outweighs the small inconvenience to about 85 people. Herein lies the utilitarian justification for holding the blood drive.

The model of ethical reasoning from a decision-making standpoint applies to the blood drive project as well. Blood donors are altruists because they are giving a gift of their bodies that is intended to increase human welfare. Philanthropists, altruists, and idealists all act to help others, whether justified by helping the less advantage, upholding the integrity of the community, or simply based on principle.

Our group encountered several problems throughout the project. Scheduling conflicts were common due to the size of the group. This project was also very time consuming, so it was difficult to balance several class projects and a demanding course load with the demands of the project. Another problem was that many donors recruited were unable to donate because they did not meet certain qualifications. It was also very hard to recruit blood donors, due to fear of needles, pain, and misconceptions about the blood donation process. In an attempt to gain community business support, only one out of fourteen businesses was willing to give donations for use as prize incentives for blood donors. The single greatest challenge to overcome was a lack of awareness of the dire need for blood and the potential benefits of donating. Most Americans are not aware that lives can be saved just from taking one hour to donate blood.

Overall the blood drive was a success. We achieved 96% of our donation goals and we helped to save 231 lives. Our social change project resulted in an $18,232 net monetary benefit. This takes into account time and supply costs incurred during the project outweighed by the $250 per unit cost that a hospital charges a patient for blood. There were many benefits, including a strong sense of personal satisfaction, as well as a grade in this class, that are not easily quantified but must be considered. The lives saved and the increased awareness of the necessity of blood donors created a worthwhile experience for all group members.