The blood supply in the United States is much safer today than ever before. Only volunteers are permitted to donate blood, and there are no incentives to give.
Studies prove that community volunteers are the safest source of blood for transfusion.
Every donor completes a health history questionnaire and screening interview to identify behaviors that indicate a high risk for carrying blood borne disease. Strict confidentiality, as well as the absence of incentives or pressure to donate, encourage honest answers and deferral of any potential donor with possible health risks. The donor's blood type also is determined. Any unit of blood that shows evidence of carrying a disease is discarded and the donor is deferred from subsequent donation. All rights reserved.