Blood is scarce, and ensuring there is a sufficient blood supply is always difficult. In most of the developed world, there has been a huge decline in blood donations. There is clearly a need for more volunteers to meet the demand for blood.
While offering money for blood donations is discouraged by the World Health Organization, research suggests that other non-cash incentives like T-shirts or event tickets can increase the number of blood donors.
To promote non-remunerated blood donation, Sweden has come up with a genius incentive scheme. Blood donors are sent automatic text messages whenever they save a life.
They get the first ‘Thank you’ text message when they leave the clinic after donating blood. They get the second text message when their blood is actually used to save the life of a person. This helps donors to feel appreciated and encouraged to donate again.
Though Sweden is currently the only country using this text service to promote donations, soon others may join given the success of this scheme.
