Blood Drive

Something, which has always intrigued me, is the timing of the blood drive. While I understand that National Convention provides a great launching pad for the drive. I have often had my post convention enthusiasm to donate blood sniffled out, not only due to my inability to get out of bed for about 4 days after but also due to the (fair) restrictions place by the Red Cross on donating blood until at least 7 days post sickness. 

Conventionitis aside. Surely it would make sense to launch the drive in the months proceeding Convention and GHC. That way the trophy could be awarded to a relevant audience (ie at NC or GHC Gala Ball). But perhaps more importantly pre convention hype would surely see a massive boost in the participation, especially amongst those MedSocs denied the magical McCup winning blood buses (such as UTas), as the promotion of Blood Drive could easily piggy back on the interest GHC and NC generate among the community. 

Perhaps this is only a whinge because it is notoriously difficult to donate blood in Tas (first free spot? 10 August) or maybe I just wanted to make the milestone 5th post on these forums?

Regardless, I think it would be great to see the Cup awarded during the year it was contested to a relevant audience, and I also feel that contesting it post NC could only serve to decrease patient safety if medical students, in their enthusiasm, decided to donate while still sick.