Blood is a gift: EBA’s new position on voluntary unpaid donations

The European Blood Alliance has updated its position on Voluntary Unpaid Donation (VUD), highlighting its profound importance to the quality and safety of blood, the safety and well-being of donors and patients, and the sustainability of the collection and supply system for all blood components.

VUD has been central to EBA since the alliance’s creation in 1998. The new SoHO Regulation reaffirms the VUD principle, based on the notion that donations cannot be a source of financial gain.

As national authorities get ready to implement the new SoHO rules and standards, EBA hopes this paper contributes to the discussion and practices on VUD, and ultimately to a safer and more sustainable blood supply in Europe.