Should there be incentives for blood donation?

[mani]

and i dont mean monetary like it used to be

like if you give blood now they give you like a credit card thing with all your details. if this could be amended slightly to have the strip on there too every time you give blood that card is activated for three months thus by givign u say 10/20% discount at HMV *like NUS ones do* or various other discounts at shops.

i just think it would maybe attract more people to donate blood

and i do think companies would be up for this too as its publicity wise seen as a good cause to align themselves with.

[West Ender]

The problem is that incentives could lead people who shouldn't be donating into trying to. There is a health-screening form but people can lie and the blood tests don't always show everything. One problem could be donating too often, registering with more than one card, for instance. It would have to be a very tight process to make sure nothing went wrong.

I was a blood donor for many years, having a rare blood type, but as I am now on medication for high blood pressure they can't use me. My daughter gave blood from the age of 18 until her daughter was born 6 years later. They won't have her blood now as she had to have a transfusion after the birth (in 1999) and, as they've kindly informed her, she might be hatching CJD. Comforting thought, eh?

[Margaret Pilkington]

I am not aware of anyone ever being paid for blood donations in the past...certainly not in this country anyway.

[cashman]

not overkeen on the idea of reward for helping people,think time would be better used on education for this.

[Lilly]

The biggest incentive is already there.By giving your blood you can save somebody's life.What greater reward is there than to know that a simple act of yours has saved somebody else's life?

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Lilly

The biggest incentive is already there.By giving your blood you can save somebody's life.What greater reward is there than to know that a simple act of yours has saved somebody else's life?

exactly the point.

[mani]

but in a fickle world

to some people thats not much of an incentive.

[shillelagh]

I cant donate blood because of taking medication. I went in to see if i could donate when I was working in rawtenstall and they said that i couldnt but thanked me for going. There is an incentive you get badges and certificates when you've donated so many pints of blood - my sister had one but shes not allowed to donate now due to medical reasons.

[Margaret Pilkington]

I don't think there should be any incentive other than that YOU yourself may need a blood transfusion at some point in your life.....donating blood is to help someone in need. Like Lilly, i think this should be incentive enough.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by mani

but in a fickle world

to some people thats not much of an incentive.

and to some people,people like that are worthless.

[West Ender]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I don't think there should be any incentive other than that YOU yourself may need a blood transfusion at some point in your life.....donating blood is to help someone in need. Like Lilly, i think this should be incentive enough.

I agree. When I was a donor my incentive was to know I could be saving a life and I was so proud when I got my silver badge.

[mani]

badges?!

i dont think they do badges anymore

[mez]

i was never able to donate blood until i reached my 40th year then lo & behold i strolled in one day past the blood tests & i gave my 1st pint of blood, wow was i thrilled & proud of myself that i at last could do something for someone out there who NEEDED what i could give them, i carried on for the next 15yrs & then was told sorry but you can't give anymore because of the medication i was on.........i was gutted to say the least...... but i have had my reward knowing that at least i did try & mabe saved someones life.

[garinda]

There are already incentives, a cup of tea and a biscuit.


Other than the free refreshments I don't think anyone should need an incentives. Most people do it, if they can, because they know it's very much needed, and costs them nothing.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Mez, i'm sure you saved lives, as did anyone who donated blood......having spent 30 years in the nursing profession i know how vital your gift was....and also how grateful the recipients were, that someone cared enough to donate blood to save the life of a stranger.