Social Capital and Blood Donation: The Australian Case

The therapeutic demand for blood donation continues to grow as the pool of potential donors contracts. Many individuals are precluded from donating blood by travel exclusions and medical conditions and the likelihood of experimental advances to allow the adaptation of animal blood or the development of synthetic blood appear remote. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service [ARCBS] is becoming concerned by these factors. In a bid to find answers beyond reactive market research driven ones, ARCBS has participated in an ARC Linkage project with the goal of identifying the characteristics of blood donors and their communities.The results of this research have provided insights about who donates blood, why they give, and significant factors influencing those who do not donate blood. © Common Ground.