Taiwan Blood Donation Program: a model for development

In 1974, the Taiwan National Blood Program had not yet been fully developed. The volunteer donor base was less than 5% and there was no organized national structure or regulation of blood services. Following the founding of the Blood Donation Association and the Blood Services Foundation, promotion of an all-volunteer blood program, increased utilization of blood components and the standardization of laboratory methods were strategies that led to the development of the Taiwan National Blood Program. In 1991, 1,066,082 units of blood were collected in Taiwan, serving a population of about 20 million. There are currently 6 major blood centers and 13 blood stations. Blood donation is now 100% volunteer and 78% of all blood collected is separated into 10 available components. With national organization and regulation, the transition has taken 17 years and has resulted in a community-based, all-volunteer blood supply.