History of Blood donation in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 31, 2026

Blood donation is the voluntary process where a person has blood drawn for transfusions, blood products, or biopharmaceutical medications. This process can involve donating whole blood or specific blood components through apheresis. Blood banks are frequently involved in both the collection and processing stages of blood donation.

March 27, 1914: First Non-Direct Transfusion

On March 27, 1914, the first non-direct blood transfusion was performed by Belgian doctor Albert Hustin. The solution used was a diluted form of blood.

1921: First Blood Donor Service Established

In 1921, the world's first blood donor service was established by Percy Lane Oliver of the British Red Cross. Volunteers underwent physical tests to determine their blood group.

1925: Expansion of London Blood Transfusion Service

By 1925, the London Blood Transfusion Service was providing services for almost 500 patients, operating free of charge.

1926: Incorporation into British Red Cross

In 1926, the London Blood Transfusion Service was incorporated into the structure of the British Red Cross.

1937: First Hospital Blood Bank in the United States

In 1937, Bernard Fantus established one of the first hospital blood banks in the United States at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, coining the term "blood bank".

1970: Publication of "The Gift Relationship"

In 1970, Richard Titmuss published "The Gift Relationship: From Human Blood to Social Policy", comparing commercial and non-commercial blood donation systems.

1988: Surplus of Donations During National Disasters

From 1988 to 2013, it was reported that during every national disaster, there was a surplus of blood donations, often exceeding 100 units.

1997: Republishing of "The Gift Relationship"

In 1997, "The Gift Relationship" was republished, applying the same ideas and principles to analogous donation programs, such as organ donation and sperm donation.

1997: WHO Goal for Unpaid Blood Donations

In 1997, the World Health Organization set a goal for all blood donations to come from unpaid volunteer donors.

1998: Increase in Blood Donations to the Red Cross

In 1998, blood donations to the Red Cross increased to 8%, totaling 500,000 units. However, hospitals' need for donations increased by 11%.

2005: Progress in Tanzania Towards Unpaid Donations

In 2005, Tanzania reported that 20 percent of donors were unpaid volunteers.

2006: WHO Survey on Unpaid Blood Donations

As of 2006, only 49 of 124 countries surveyed by the WHO had established unpaid volunteer blood donation as a standard.

2006: WHO Report on Blood Donation Testing

In 2006, the WHO reported that 56 out of 124 countries surveyed did not use basic tests on all blood donations.

2007: Progress in Tanzania Towards Unpaid Donations

In 2007, Tanzania reported that 80 percent of donors were unpaid volunteers, showing significant progress.

October 2008: Blood Bank Reporting Requirements in the United States

From October 2008 to September 2009, a blood bank in the United States was required to report any death that might possibly be linked to a blood donation. An analysis of all reports found that most deaths were unrelated to donation.

2008: Platelet Storage Research

As of 2008, there were no storage methods to keep platelets for extended periods of time, though some were being studied.

September 2009: Blood Bank Reporting Requirements in the United States

2011: WHO Data Collection on Blood Donation

Based on data reported by 180 countries between 2011 and 2013, the WHO estimated that approximately 112.5 million units of blood were being collected annually.

2011: UK Eases Restrictions on MSM Donors

In 2011, the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) reduced its blanket ban on men who have sex with men (MSM) donors, narrowing the restriction to prevent MSM from donating blood only if they have had sex with other men within the past year.

2012: World Blood Donor Day 2012

In 2012, the World Blood Donor Day campaign focused on the theme "Every blood donor is a hero," emphasizing that everyone can become a hero by giving blood.

2012: Research on Blood Donation and Metabolic Syndrome

Research published in 2012 demonstrated that in patients with metabolic syndrome, repeated blood donation is effective in reducing blood pressure, blood glucose, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio, and heart rate.

2013: WHO Data Collection on Blood Donation

Based on data reported by 180 countries between 2011 and 2013, the WHO estimated that approximately 112.5 million units of blood were being collected annually.

2013: Surplus of Donations During National Disasters

From 1988 to 2013, it was reported that during every national disaster, there was a surplus of blood donations, often exceeding 100 units.

2015: US Follows Suit on MSM Donor Restrictions

In late 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US made a similar change to the UK, mirroring the restrictions on men who have sex with men (MSM) donors.

2017: Further Reduction of Restrictions in UK and US

In 2017, both the UK and US further reduced restrictions on men who have sex with men (MSM) donors to three months.

July 2022: Australia Removes UK-Donor Deferral

In July 2022, Australia removed its deferral for blood donors who had lived in the United Kingdom, which was previously in place due to the risk of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD).

2023: Poland Introduces Paid Time Off for Blood Donors

In 2023, Poland introduced legislation that secured two days off work for employed persons when they donate blood — the donation day and the subsequent next day.

2023: FDA Eases Restrictions on Gay and Bisexual Men Donating Blood

In 2023, the FDA announced new policies easing restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood. The updated guidelines allow men in monogamous relationships with other men, or who have not recently had sex, to donate.