BLOOD DONATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF RECRUITING AND RETAINING DONORS FOR BLOOD TRANSFUSION SAFETY

Blood donation is a voluntary, selfless, and essential act for maintaining health services, since blood components are used in situations such as surgeries, traumas, hemorrhages, severe anemias, cancer treatments, and other clinical conditions. This article aimed to analyze the importance of blood donation, the main factors related to the decision to donate, the barriers to donation, and strategies for attracting and retaining donors, with emphasis on the role of nursing. An integrative literature review was conducted, selecting studies published between 2018 and 2026, complemented by official documents from the Ministry of Health and the National Health Surveillance Agency. Recent evidence points to altruism and the desire to help others as important motivators, while fear of needles, blood, or fainting, lack of time, doubts about eligibility, and inadequate information can hinder donation. It is concluded that ongoing actions in health education, welcoming, clear communication, fear reduction, and donor relationship strategies are fundamental to increasing donation rates and encouraging repeat donations, contributing to blood transfusion safety.