HHS Launches Giving=Living Blood and Plasma Innovation Challenge

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched an innovation challenge on Monday to identify effective, evidence-based strategies to increase blood and plasma donations through sustainable, community-driven approaches. The challenge is part of HHS’s Giving=Living campaign, which aims to increase awareness of the importance of donating blood and to encourage Americans to develop new, regular donation habits.

According to HHS, formative research shows that several barriers exist when it comes to donation, including a lack of understanding about eligibility and the donation process, a negative donation experience and mistrust of the health care system.

Successful submissions will help address these challenges by providing innovative, community-driven solutions for increasing the short-term blood and plasma supply; offering solutions to address sustainability to help create a steady, ongoing supply in the long-term; involving a range of stakeholders so that innovations are community-led; and delivering solutions that drive donations among diverse populations.

The challenge is open to individuals, groups and entities. Challenge participants may focus on blood, plasma or both.

The submission period closes at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 5. HHS will award $10,000 to as many as 10 winners.