Blood donors know that giving blood is a meaningful way to give back to the community but dont usually give much thought to the actual person or the specific situation in which their donation is used. The use of patient stories in reaching out to blood donors and employees creates a personal and deeper connection to your organization and can foster loyalty and increase donation frequency. Inspired by the Columbine school tragedy in 1999, Bonfils Blood Center was the first blood center to hold an event that introduced a blood recipient to his or her actual blood donor to emphasize the importance of donors and highlight the lifesaving partnership between the blood center and the hospitals we serve. This session details Bonfils Community Lifelines event and provides information about other ways patient stories are used to sell our mission and achieve our goals. In addition to learning about Bonfils program, you will also hear a story from a blood recipient and a blood donor in the session.