Blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions or to make biopharmaceutical medications. Donors can give whole blood or specific components like plasma or platelets. Most donors in developed countries are unpaid volunteers donating to help their community, while in poorer areas donors often give directed donations when family needs transfusions. Donating blood is relatively safe but some donors may feel faint or have bruising where the needle was inserted.