VOLUNTARY, UNPAID BLOOD DONATION

Proper selection of blood donors still remains the most fundamental strategy towards minimizing or eliminating risk, and it is for this reason that several international organizations agree on the following definition of voluntary, Unpaid blood donation: "Voluntary Unpaid blood donors are persons who give blood, plasma or other blood components of their own free will and receive no payment for it, either in form of cash, or in kind which could be considered a substitute for money. This includes time off work, other than reasonably needed for the donation and reimbursements of direct travel costs are compatible with voluntary Unpaid blood donation." It is now estimated that up to 60 per cent blood collected worldwide is donated directly or indirectly through Red Cross and Red Crescent blood donor recruitment programs, which targets voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. Today, out of a total of 181 Member National Societies, some Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are in charge of major blood programs at the national level. Others have complete blood services or are involved in some blood centre activities. Most are involved in promoting blood donation and blood donor recruitment.