World Blood Donor Day, held every year on June 14, continues to raise awareness worldwide of the importance and need for safe blood donations. It also honors the world’s donors for their “simple yet selfless” act.
The World Health Assembly declared the celebration in May 2005 after the success of World Health Day in 2000, which focused on blood donation and transfusions. Since then, World Blood Donor Day has been celebrated on June 14 with the aim of raising awareness of the need for safe blood, highlighting the important contributions of unpaid, voluntary donors and supporting national blood transfusion services, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
This year’s theme is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Get involved and save lives.” This highlights the important role of voluntary blood donation in “saving lives and increasing solidarity within communities,” according to the WHO. It is also meant to thank the blood donors of the world.
As the organization noted, access to safe blood should be “integral” in countries’ health care systems. However, many people who need life-saving blood still do not have timely access to it.
Of course, an important way for people to celebrate World Blood Donor Day is to consider being a regular, voluntary unpaid blood donor.
“Becoming a regular volunteer blood donor is a simple yet selfless step anyone can take to strengthen their communities, support local health systems and save lives,” noted the WHO.
On this day, let’s take a look at some key reasons for being a regular, voluntary unpaid blood donor. (Courtesy: WHO, American Red Cross, Adventist Health)
- The need for blood is ‘universal’. It can happen anywhere and at any time, be it under normal circumstances or in emergency situations such as pandemics, accidents, conflicts or disasters.
- One blood donation could potentially save more than one life.
- As mentioned, many people who need safe blood still do not have access to it.
- Low- and middle-income countries often suffer from blood shortages. Unfortunately, women (pregnancy-related complications) and children (child anemia) are the most affected in these countries.
- All blood types are needed, but some are rarer and can be found in people with similar ancestry. Donating blood can help maintain the “diversity” of the blood supply.
- Regular, voluntary unpaid blood donors are said to be the safest group of donors, as the prevalence of blood-borne infections is lowest among them.
- Blood donors essentially get a free check-up because their temperature, pulse, and blood pressure are also checked before donating. In some cases, donors feel that they have high blood pressure and need a follow-up consultation.
- Blood donation helps to create a more united community and generates ‘social ties’.
Photo: Pixabay-rovin
