Donors

Donors are individuals or organizations that give something of value to another person, group, or cause without expectation of direct repayment. The term is used across contexts, including medical, financial, and material contributions. In medicine, donors may provide blood, organs, tissues, or bone marrow to recipients in need, often under formal screening and consent processes.

Medical donors: Blood donors donate whole blood or components after screening for infectious diseases and health suitability. Organ donors can be living or deceased; organ donation relies on explicit consent or presumed consent depending on jurisdiction. Tissue and marrow donors contribute anatomical parts or cells to aid transplantation or research. Donor safety, recipient safety, and ethical considerations harmonize to maximize benefit while respecting autonomy and privacy.

Charitable donors: Individuals or groups donate money, goods, or services to nonprofit organizations. Financial giving may be tax-deductible in many countries and is guided by charity law and governance standards. Corporate and philanthropic donors often engage in programmatic partnerships and reporting requirements; stewardship and impact assessment are common expectations.

Ethics and regulation: Donor programs require voluntary, informed consent, and protection from coercion. Age and capacity rules apply; anonymity versus non-anonymity in certain programs is negotiated by policy. There are safeguards against coercion, exploitation, or undue inducement, and privacy for donor and recipient data. Registries and consent frameworks help coordinate ongoing donation and follow-up for safety and record-keeping.