Promoting blood donation in the university setting: An experience report on an outreach initiative by PET Medicine UFC Sobral

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Blood donation is fundamental to the maintenance of health services, being indispensable in surgical procedures, treatments, and emergency care. However, blood bank stocks frequently remain below demand, highlighting the need for permanent awareness-raising actions. In this context, universities constitute strategic spaces for developing outreach activities aimed at health promotion and encouraging voluntary donation. The low adherence to regular blood donation reinforces the need for educational actions that expand the number of voluntary donors. In addition to contributing to blood bank stocks, university campaigns strengthen students’ social responsibility and humanistic education. OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of the blood donation campaign promoted by the Tutorial Education Program in Medicine (PET Medicina) at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Sobral campus, in partnership with the Ceará Hematology and Hemotherapy Center (HEMOCE), highlighting its organization, execution, and contributions to raising awareness within the academic community. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive, qualitative study of the experience report type, based on the blood donation campaign carried out on April 15, 2026, by PET Medicina UFC Sobral in partnership with HEMOCE. The action involved joint planning, social media outreach, in-person mobilization of the academic community, and blood collection conducted by HEMOCE’s technical team on university premises. CONCLUSION: This report is expected to demonstrate that outreach campaigns in the university environment foster awareness of voluntary blood donation, expand mobilization within the academic community, and strengthen the partnership between the university and health services. Furthermore, they contribute to student education and encourage the continuity of actions aimed at strengthening blood stocks