Inside PBS Blog

More proof that as social networks grow, people are finding higher-minded uses for them: Takes All Types, a non-profit, grassroots group that supports blood donation, is using Facebook to link people who want to give blood with the hospitals and blood donation centers that need it.

As the site explains, "There are always shortages of blood throughout the nation, even though there are plenty of potential donors out there." TAT, as it's known, uses an application on Facebook that allows people to sign up as blood donors and get pinged--by e-mail, phone, Facebook message, etc.--when their local community is in need.

Potential donors register with their blood type, which permits blood centers to target those who can provide the type of blood most needed at a particular place and time.

As of this posting, there were 454 daily active users of the Facebook application.

Think the barrier to this type of civic good is too high? According to the New York Times, partners Ben Bergman and Richard Hecker of New York say they put together the entire program, with the help of some technology savvy friends, for less than $500.

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