If blood banks are short of blood, why don’t they offer cash to donors rather than relying on donations?

There are constant appeals nearly every month. “Won’t you give the gift of life and donate blood?” Well sure, I can appreciate how my blood might save someone else. However, I also have to take time out of my workday to get in line, give blood, eat my cookie and juice, and then get back to work. Not very convenient. However, if the pot were sweetened by, say $20, I would not feel so bad. College kids would LOVE it! I bet they would pound down the door to do the socially correct thing AND get $20. The cost should be passed on to hospitals and patients. There should NEVER be a blood shortage when a market mechanism exists to ensure that those who need blood, get it!

Interesting question. The book Freakonomics by Steven Levitt (I think) specifically addresses this issue. It turns out that in some areas where there were major shortages of blood, they offered a cash compensation, but it actually had a negative effect. Sure some people do it for money, but there are more people who would be deferred away if money were offered. People feel good about donating and if money were involved they would feel like they are not doing out of kindness. It kind of takes away the good will of the donation. A lot of people would feel guilty, like “I’m not going to do something like give my blood for $20.” It turns into a cheap way to get money, like doing medical experiments or donating sperm. I know it seems kind of odd to think about it like this, but if you read Freakonomics, it explains it fully.

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