Dawstwo

Dawstwo is the act of giving or donating goods or services to others without direct compensation. The term derives from the Polish verb dawac, to give, and denotes a voluntary transfer of possession based on a donor's choice. In everyday language dawstwo can refer to charitable donations of money, goods, or time, as well as to the donation of biological material such as blood, organs, or tissues.

Dawstwo encompasses both biological and non-biological forms. Blood donation, organ donation, and tissue donation are often coordinated through specialized medical or nonprofit institutions and are governed by ethical and legal frameworks to ensure donor consent, safety, and proper use. Non-biological dawstwo includes financial contributions to charities, in-kind gifts, or volunteering, and is frequently organized through nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, and community groups.

Legal and ethical aspects emphasize voluntariness, informed consent, and the absence of coercion or payment intended to create a market for donations. In organ donation, for instance, many systems separate the act of giving from any compensation, and policies may vary regarding donor anonymity, consent for specific recipients, and presumed consent in some jurisdictions. Cultural attitudes toward dawstwo reflect values such as solidarity, altruism, and communal responsibility, and campaigns often focus on awareness, trust, and accessibility of donation services.

Historically, organized donation movements emerged with the development of modern medicine and public health infrastructure, enabling safe collection and allocation of donated materials to patients in need. See also: blood donation, organ donation, charitable giving.