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BACKGROUND: Although vital to the nation's blood centers, multi-gallon blood donors have never been the focus of investigation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In the fall of 1994, questionnaires were sent to 500 individuals who had donated 5 gallons or more and to 500 randomly selected donors. RESULTS: Multi-gallon donors reported that they received little recognition or support for their efforts and were not pressured by friends or family. One-third were not allowed time off from work to donate. One in five reported having a "bad experience" while donating. Donors who had family members or friends who had received blood donated a greater number of units than those who were not as close to blood recipients. CONCLUSION: Women and minorities are underrepresented among long-term donors. Further research is needed to learn what "captures" donors and helps them to develop the psychological commitment to continue to give, as well as why few multi-gallon donors talk about blood donation.
Royse et al. (Sun,) studied this question.