Multi-gallon blood donors: who are they?
BACKGROUND
Although vital to the nation's blood centers, multi-gallon blood donors have never been the focus of investigation.


METHODS
In the fall of 1994, questionnaires were sent to 500 individuals who had donated 5 gallons or more and to 500 randomly selected donors.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Royse
D
D
College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
Doochin
K E
KE
D000533:Altruism; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000009:adverse effects; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires