This review complements a report by Oswalt who reviewed blood donor motivation and recruitment. Thirty-one studies were reviewed that provided insight into blood donor motivation, blood donor characteristics, blood donor personality, and non-donor motivation. From the review, it was possible to draw conclusions regarding: 1) the most often identified reasons why donors give blood; 2) characteristics of donors; 3) personality traits of donors; and 4) the most often identified reasons why non-donors do not give blood.