Blood donation in order to save the lives of others is supposed to be an altruistic gesture, but in today’s self-centred world, there are far too few altruistic actions. Often, when an opportunity knocks to provide a service or assistance to others, the first thought that comes to mind is, "What am I going to get out of it?" After reflecting at length, if no gain is envisaged, they give nothing of themselves in order to positively affect other people’s lives.
Do not get me wrong, since not everyone is like that. I know many that I deem angels in this world. There are many, however, who expect some sort of gain for themselves in order to give of themselves. In order to entice people to go to the Blood Bank and regularly donate blood, I think that money is the answer. In order for people to donate blood, they must first be offered some incentive. Complimentary items, redeemable coupons, or some sort of acknowledgement are some of the incentives I have recently witnessed.
If we stop and think about our economy today and in 2024, I think that money can be the greatest incentive for blood donors and donations. Whether in cash, coupons exchangeable for gifts, or a tax rebate for the following year, money remains the best incentive in the world. Fortunately, it motivates anyone, and if we can come up with the best ideas to put money to good use, blood donations should tend to increase.
Coupons exchangeable for gifts can, in the long term, provide a suitable alternative to money itself. Encouraging national brands and local businesses to provide coupons exchangeable for gifts or discounts may enable the Blood Bank to acquire more new blood donors as well as retain regular donors for a longer time.
Tax incentives have to come from the government, and while this is not impossible, it is becoming increasingly difficult for governments to approve similar measures. Even they have developed the attitude, "What do I gain from all this?" These tax incentives may well prove to be the key to the ever-increasing shortage of blood donors.
Another opportunity could be an association with local schools. The possibility of an incentive offering school supplies such as computers, books, class furniture, or sports facilities for children to the school boasting the highest number of student blood donors might well yield good results. This can also be achieved within youth or sports organisations. It is still not enough that perhaps once in a blue moon we witness or read about a number of factory workers or brand employees voluntarily donating blood or perhaps being encouraged by their employers. Something like that should be commonplace, not something that makes the news.
In secondary schools and other educational institutes, use can be made of coupons exchangeable for scholastic furniture or supplies for that student or group having the most members who are blood donors. Competition motivates the majority of people. People are eager to win, even when the reward is not so great.
Money always finds its way into most things. If there are not enough funds to promote monetary gifts, with all the individuals who today make use of the internet, another good solution could be some sort of acknowledgment site. Meta, Myspace, X, and other social networks are good grounds for promoting donor competitions based on the greatest number of donations, frequency, and similar aspects.
The church sacristy is another option. There could be a registration system whereby, whenever there is an appeal for blood donation, not only registered church members are immediately notified, but the church itself. Thus, the clergy can remind its members and inform those not registered about the need for and availability of their service.
Unfortunately, the greatest incentive for anyone to donate blood is having a loved one as a patient in need of blood. Unless a close family member is not in a critical medical condition and in immediate need of blood, we cannot truly understand the meaning of the gift of life. From patients suffering cancer pains to accident survivors, there are, every day, people all over the world in need of this wonderful gift of blood. While urgent calls for blood donations spike at different times of the year, people need to be reminded to keep donating in order to prevent chronic shortages. High-stress periods pose two problems for blood services. On the one hand, the blood supply declines, and for many people, blood donation becomes less of a priority. On the other hand, demand for blood stays the same or even goes up.
Unless this noble culture is not embraced by all of us, the Blood Bank would have to depend on the government, businesses, agencies, and merchants in order to provide incentives in the form of rewards and gifts in order to pay back those that should have been unplanned charity actions. Until such time arrives, it is all up to us.
Who will take the first step? I would also like to appeal to the Blood Bank to consider Power Red donations, whereby donors can safely donate two units of red blood cells at just one appointment! The Power Red donation is similar to the whole blood donation, except a phlebotomist uses a special machine to ensure two units of exclusively red blood cells are collected. The machine returns the other blood components to the donor. Think of it as a more efficient way to yield more fuel for patients. Let us give blood whenever we can; after all, blood is naturally meant to circulate!
Dr Mark Said is a lawyer