For an outstanding analysis of the importance of giving blood free read "The Gift Relationship: From Human Blood to Social Policy" by Richard Titmuss. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0GER/is_1998_Spring/ai_53885036/
Writing 50 years ago he makes the case for healthcare free at the point of need and the importance of the free blood service, pointing out through his qown eperiences that class and status should not be factors in the availablility of health care.
A great read and one which influenced me greatly as a young sociology student in the seventies.
Bill King
