Multi‐gallon blood donors: who are they?

1 October 1995

journal article
Published by Wiley in Transfusion

Vol. 35 (10) , 826-831
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1537-2995.1995.351096026363.x

Abstract

Although vital to the nation's blood centers, multi-gallon blood donors have never been the focus of investigation.In the fall of 1994, questionnaires were sent to 500 individuals who had donated 5 gallons or more and to 500 randomly selected donors.Multi-gallon donors reported that they received little recognition or support for their efforts and were not pressured by friends or family. One-third were not allowed time off from work to donate. One in five reported having a "bad experience" while donating. Donors who had family members or friends who had received blood donated a greater number of units than those who were not as close to blood recipients.Women and minorities are underrepresented among long-term donors. Further research is needed to learn what "captures" donors and helps them to develop the psychological commitment to continue to give, as well as why few multi-gallon donors talk about blood donation.

Keywords

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