The efficient organization of blood donation: what determines the number of donors and donations?

This study investigates the influence of socio-economic characteristics on the number of donors in geographical areas in the North of Scotland as well as the influence of panel-specific characteristics on the number of donations obtained from each panel in the North of Scotland. Econometric models are applied to establish the relationship between these variables. The main findings were that there was no scope for identifying new areas in which to locate new panels or extend the activities of existing panels because the number of donors in an area was closely correlated with population. There was therefore little scope for recruitment of donors by focusing on any particular area. It was found that annual donations per panel are significantly influenced by the number of donors invited, the number of opportunities to donate and the average length of sessions. Combined with cost information, increasing the length of the session appears to be the most cost-effective means of collecting higher volumes.