Why Does The Red Cross Ask So Many Personal Questions?
The Red Cross needs healthy donors. Most people choose to donate because they want to share their healthy blood with someone who needs it. Some potential donors, however, may have been exposed to diseases, which could affect their blood donation. Specifically some people can be at high risk for exposure to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, without realizing it. The Red Cross asks lifestyle and behavior questions prior to donation so individuals at risk are prevented from donating. Many of these questions are mandated by the Food and Drug Administration for all U.S. blood collection agencies. Why doesn’t the Red Cross offer free blood screening for things like cholesterol? The Red Cross receives only voluntary donations for blood. Voluntary donations encourage people to give blood out of altruistic motivations and to support a safe blood supply. The Red Cross does not provide monetary or other incentives such as free blood tests, tax deductions, etc. to potential blood donors. This polic
The Red Cross needs healthy donors. Most people choose to donate because they want to share their healthy blood with someone who needs it. Some potential donors, however, may have been exposed to diseases which could affect their blood donation. Specifically some people can be at high risk for exposure to HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, without realizing it. The Red Cross asks lifestyle and behavior questions prior to donation so individuals at risk are prevented from donating. Many of these questions are mandated by the Food and Drug Administration for all U.S. blood collection agencies. Would Most People Be Honest About Their Past Behavior? The safety of any donation begins with the donor providing honest answers to health screenning questions. Most donors answer truthfully, but there are additional safeguards in the process to ensure that blood positive for HIV or another transmissible disease is destroyed. The health history questions make donors think carefully about their behav
