A study of the conversion from paid to altruistic blood donors in New Mexico

We investigated the recent conversion of the New Mexico blood supply from a donor recruitment base which depended almost entirely upon paid, responsibility fee, and insured donors to 100 per cent reliance upon altruistic donors. Blood Services of New Mexico (BSNM) effected this change. The local Red Cross played a key role in interpreting the change to the community and in providing entree for BSNM recruiters to the right places in the community, resulting in the enlistment of an almost entirely new group of donors who had never been asked to give blood before. The sequence of decision making is identified in relation to the detailed results during the transition. Altruistically donated blood did not significantly alter the incidence of HBsAg in the New Mexico blood supply. The supply of blood was not interrupted or diminished, the range and quality of blood services improved and the cost of blood service to the patient was reduced. The New Mexico community responded magnificently, although focal responsibility for the success of this project rests with a small number of key individuals. New Mexico now has an altruistically donated blood supply.