That's a good idea. I'm a fanatic blood donor myself and would like to do anything to encourage people. It's a very valuable gift you're giving away. Giving people the option to direct the value will make them realize that more. As it is we treat blood almost like a waste product. We allow it to be collected and disposed of with little thought as to where it goes. By asking people "where do you want the $50 (or whatever), which represent HALF the value (or whatever) to go, we reinforce the thought that hey, this is valuable stuff. What does a hosptical charge per pint, anyway? I don't even know.

While we're at it, could we have a system of recognized donors so that I don't have to go through those STUPID questions every time. No, I have never paid to have sex with a man, dammit. Has anyone ever done any studies to see if those questions have any benefit? I'm convinced they are counterproductive.

I am also a regular blood donor and I recently heard the president of the American Red Cross speak and she reported that the blood business was a zero sum game. All the revenue made from selling blood went right back into transportation, collection, overhead, etc. So unless the Red Cross changes it business model there is no extra money to go to any charity.

How about instituting a regime of 'Universal Health Credits' for people to personally benefit through incentives for contributing to their nation's overall health maintenance services? You give blood and receive one credit per pint that could be used for 'one unit/one hour' of future medical care or dental care. Could be tracked with SS numbers in the US or via our nationalized health care numbers in Canada. This way, no cash need be provided for but instead an efficient bartering system that has real benefit to the recurrent givers. Idea could be expanded to include other beneficial actions that would tend to reduce overall health costs for everyone.

Regarding ltwalt's comment, the Red Cross could reduce collection costs through a charitable contribution incentive. A management consulting firm could recommend a cost-saving collection method. Contribution amounts could be pegged to the Red Cross's actual profit, which could be audited by a neutral third party. All of this could run parallel to the current collection system. In time, the current system--a costly one, by Red Cross's account, could be displaced by the more efficient, incentive-based system.

How about a $50 deduction for each donation, the deduction would be against income, like any other charitable donation. (I'm up to 2 gallons on my next donation, by the way .)

The blood donation agency would give you a receipt.

Hi, I'm from HK and I was a regular blood donor too since I was 16. I also donated blood when I was in Taiwan. Well, there's always Ads on TV promoting blood donation in HK. Though there's no benefit if you donate blood here, I think some cash coupons sponsored by commercials or tax deduction say $100 might be useful. However, I'm not donating blood lately because I don't like the vacuum sucking device that collect blood for lab tests. That's good for transferring blood to tubes BUT creates great pressure when sucking blood and could damage delicate vessels in addition to pain!

increasing blood donation

a free funeral for anyone who gives 25 or 50 pints of blood

funerals are overpriced but cost littleso the state could supply this service to those who can't afford it or those who don't want to waste loads of money on it

maybe they'd rather leave the money to their family

Let's get this idea out to the public -what I'm reading is a tax deductible contribution for donating blood.I'm one of those hate-the-needle people and always wished I had the lion's courage. Perhaps a tax-deduction might just be the incentive to push idividuals and families into donating.This would be a win-win situation for the donor and donee (?).

There are two databases about giving bloodThe webmaster should either interlink or conine the 2.

For your reference, the other idea is here. It's interesting to see two separate solutions to the same problem.

Well, so the original poster does not like the Red Cross.

Instead,, why not find a non-Red Cross donor center? Thare are lots of them.

There may be no NET profit from blood donations, but there is a considerable anmount of money that changes hands as a result, and some individuals and companies and institutions have become quite wealthy from it. It may not be legal to sell whole donated blood, but the real money is in blood-derived products AND SERVICES, which can, and are, sold at huge profits.

How much are Red Cross executives paid?

To add to the comments about an incentive for blood donation. You are right. THEIR choice of incentives! It benefits the donor and the blood supply. Blood centers can donate points for each visit. More points for plateletts and for referrals. The donor earns points for each donation then shops online at over 300 online retailers such as Target (who does not love Target!), Macy's and American Airlines. It this sounds good to fellow donors, ask your center to check with us www.strategicconcepts-ca.com.