< Blood Service News - 28.01.2009

Finns value voluntary blood donation

The Finnish public has a positive attitude towards donating blood, and highly values non-remuneration and the voluntary nature of blood donation. Many of those who have never donated blood are willing to consider doing so.

A survey by the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service (FRCBS) reveals that nearly half of the respondents had donated blood at some time in their lives. Some 17% of young people - aged 18 to 24 years old - had done so, whereas donating was familiar to 63% of the older generation (55 to 65 years). In small towns, the amount of donors was higher in relative terms than in the bigger cities. With respect to gender, there are slightly more male donors.

"I would if only I could"

Nearly 90% of those who had never donated blood would consider donating provided they were eligible. However, nearly one in every two female respondents believes that she suffers from a condition that renders her ineligible to donate blood. It is true that women tend to be ineligible more often than men due to low blood haemoglobin levels (for women the minimum is 125 g/l) or weight (under 50 kg), for example. For men, the reasons behind not donating blood are not related to their physical condition. Instead, 40% of the male respondents merely had not thought about donating blood. In women, the corresponding figure was only 15%. 16% of those who had never donated blood confessed to being afraid of donating.

The survey questions covered suggestions that would motivate people to donate blood. Many replied that they would volunteer to donate blood if resources were running low. Women were motivated by their desire to help others, men by the opportunity to give blood to a close relative. Further sources of motivation included having the FRCBS visit their neighbourhood or workplace, or receiving an invitation to donate blood.

According to the survey, remuneration - be it money or some other reward - is not necessary to motivate potential Finnish donors. Nearly everyone participating in the survey considered it important that donating blood be non-remunerated and voluntary. The respondents had a positive image of the FRCBS.

One million Finnish donors

According to FRCBS's estimate, about one million individuals have donated blood in Finland during the last 60 years. Approximately 160,000 people donate blood each year, which is roughly 5% of the adult population (people between 18 and 65 years old). Around every tenth donor is donating for the first time.

The survey was conducted by the market research house Taloustutkimus Oy. A total of 814 people aged between 18 and 65 years were interviewed. The material was collected through telephone interviews in December 2008.