Donor Health

Introduction

Blood donation is generally safe, but some short and long term side effects may occur. Since donors are a healthy group of individuals who donate voluntarily, any harm should be prevented. Within our group, we apply epidemiological and (bio-)statistical methods to identify factors that distinguish donors who benefit from (frequent) donations from those who are harmed in order to study, protect and improve donor health.

Apart from research into health effects of blood donation, we also perform (epidemiological) studies to improve and substantiate donor selection criteria and policies. The study and maintenance of donor health is important to guarantee a safe and efficient blood supply; healthy donors will remain eligible to provide blood of high quality.