摘要
objectives: to understand the meaning of being a blood donor, to describe fears of blood donors regarding blood donation and organization of blood banks, and identify strategies to increase recruitment of voluntary and habitual blood donors. methods: this was a qualitative exploratory study. participants consisted of 15 voluntary blood donors from a local blood bank. data were collected through taped interviews from january 2007 to march 2007. results: blood donation is a solidarity and life saving act. motivation to donate blood reflected the donor%26apos;s personal and human decision. there is a need to inform and educate the population regarding blood donation. attitude of health care professionals can influence the behaviors of blood donors. conclusions: there is a need to develop communication strategies to reduce fear and to motivate donation of blood. in addition, there is a need to develop a philosophy of care based on humanization to increase recruitment of voluntary and habitual blood donors.