Blood Donor Eligibility, Recruitment, and Retention

To study the motivation and actions of potential and active blood donors, a literature search, a limited survey, and associated analytic efforts were undertaken. It is estimated that 61 million of the 114 million age‐eligible donors meet Red Cross criteria of health‐eligibility. The 1971 donor participation rate, calculated as the percentage ratio of active donors to eligible donors, was estimated to be between 8 and 9 per cent. Total collections appear to be increasing at a stable rate of 1 per cent per year and 15 per cent of each year's collections apparently come from first‐time donors. Thus, 14 per cent of those who donate blood in any given year must replace other donors who have stopped donating. Roughly 25 per cent of those who are health‐eligible to donate blood have done so in the last ten years. Literature and survey analyses indicate that donor reaction rates are considerably underestimated by most collectors. A limited survey showed that the main reason for nonparticipation is fear, while common reasons for discontinuing participation are adverse reaction and medical disqualification.