Planning donor recruitment strategies with an eye on the future

In the era of low birth rates and a rapidly ageing population, blood programmes are faced with a decrease in the number of eligible blood donors. Because the current generation of youth will become the sole source of blood donations for future banks, they should be well informed about blood donation and transfusion. Education and experience about blood donation provided to students might help to create and maintain lifelong interest and altruism about blood donation. To train and involve students in the education of other residents is also important. Considerable effort should focus on introducing IT communication methods into donor recruiting mechanisms. This is particularly important for acquiring young repeat donors. However, adverse events such as vasovagal reactions are more likely to occur among younger, first‐time and female donors. Water supplementation and muscle tension exercises can help to prevent or mitigate this reaction. Blood testing for specific factors in donated blood might also help to promote donor health and encourage repeated donations.