FAQs and Comments

What is Takes All Types (TAT)?

Takes All Types is a non-profit organization in North America (the United States and Canada) dedicated to helping make blood donation and collection more efficient by using social media and advanced communication systems.

What currently exists?

TAT just launched an application on Facebook where users can register to be blood donors and receive alerts when they are needed to donate blood.

Who uses TAT?

There are two levels of users: blood donors and blood collection centers. Donors can register and show their blood card on their profile. Collection centers can put in requests for us to reach out to potential donors on their behalf and ask them to donate blood.

What about privacy?

TAT does not share personal information with any unaffiliated third party. Blood collection centers will receive information when someone RSVPs to a specific blood drive, but do not get personal specifics on the person who receives the alert. This is a grassroots effort to create a service that benefits everyone who has and needs blood. We know that more people will willingly participate if they feel secure about their privacy.

Can the TAT be used for other causes?

The heart of TAT is a communication and marketing system. We can reuse it for other causes such as organ donation and voting. We plan on expanding it’s use, once we have the resources that will enable us to do so. If you would like to help us expand our system for other causes, feel free to send charitable contributions through Paypal on the application, online at www.TakesAllTypes.org, or send them to Takes All Types, 1210 Old Henderson Rd., Columbus OH 43220.

When did TAT start?

TAT was conceived in December 2007 and launched in February 2008.

What new features are planned for Takes All Types?

• A Schedule & RSVP system that both the public and agencies can use to organize blood drives
• Expansion of standalone website and rollout to new online communities (MySpace, etc.)
• Games, Leader boards, Contests, Viral marketing tools and other systems to encourage users to register, learn about blood donation and tell their friends

Is TAT affiliated with any specific organizations?

TAT is a standalone organization that is not part of any other institution or agency. Our neutral position in the market is one of our core strengths. We enjoy the support of Give Life, the most influential Blood Advocacy Group, and America’s Blood Centers, the largest network of blood collection agencies in North America, which conducted a focus group for us. The former Chairman of the Louisiana chapter of the American Red Cross is on our Advisory Board. Our goal is to work with all hospitals and blood collection organizations and not any one specific organization. Our only goal is to save lives.

Is TAT a non-profit organization?

TAT is a 501.3c non-profit organization through the fiscal sponsorship of Grassroots.org.

What if someone does not know their blood type, can they use TAT?

YES! Even if you don’t know your blood type, you can still use our service. We have an option “I Don’t Know” that you can select and we can also steer you to ways to find out your blood type. One way is asking your doctor. Another is coming into a blood center or hospital to check and donate blood – preferably at the same time.

What if I can’t donate blood, can I use TAT?

YES! You can still show support for our application and service by telling your friends to sign up and donate. Just because you can’t donate blood, doesn’t mean you can’t encourage others. Getting others to donate blood is just as important as donating yourself and you can save even more lives. You can also volunteer to assist at blood drives and/or provide financial support to TAT by donating funds.

Is the goal of TAT to encourage general blood donation or just help in case of emergencies?

BOTH! TAT’s charter is to help save lives. It accomplishes this by spreading the word and encouraging blood donation as much as possible. TAT reaches a young demographic not used to donating blood, most of whom haven’t had a personal need for blood and so don’t understand its urgency. TAT helps to show people the importance of constant blood donation. The system is also a powerful way to save lives in a blood emergency.