The development of the total amount of blood donations in the period from 1972-1980 was organized according to demand. With the percentage of blood from red cross donors increasing, blood donation attained a new quality which became evident in an increasing social recognition of donors coming from the red cross organization and which, above all, was characterized by its ethical-moral aspects. Further improvements could be achieved in organizing the preparation and establishment of fixed dates for blood donation. The demand for stored blood containing erythrocytes was ensured by an amount which lay below the international value of comparison. This, however, is taken as a basis for the future development of plasma demand. The increase of required plasma is effected by means of a plasmapheresis programme which still further is to be intensified.