World Blood Donor Day is celebrated throughout the world on 14th June. World Blood Donor Day was officially designated as an annual event by the world health assembly in 2005. Every single donation is a precious lifesaving gift and repeat donation is the key to building a safe and sustainable blood supply. This annual event is celebrated to thank voluntary blood donors across the globe to save precious lives. Blood is a necessary resource for the planned treatments and the urgent interventions. It is helpful for patients who are suffering from life-threatening conditions for living longer and with a higher quality of life. It supports complex medical and surgical procedures
World Blood Donor Day
The slogan for 2023 World Blood Donor Day campaign is“Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.” It is celebrated on the birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner on June 14 (1868). Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the ABO blood group system.
The objectives are to celebrate and thank individuals who donate blood and encourage more people to become new donors encourage people in good health to donate blood regularly, as often as is safe and possible, to transform the quality of life for transfusion dependent patients and help to build a secure blood supply in all countries in the world.
Highlight the critical roles of voluntary non-remunerated regular blood and plasma donations in achieving universal access to safe blood products for all populations; and mobilize support at national, regional and global levels among governments and development partners to invest in, strengthen and sustain national blood programmes.
The event was organized for the first time in 2004, by four core international organizations: The World Health Organization, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (IFBDO), The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood.
World Blood Donor Day is one of 11 official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Chagas Disease Day, World Tuberculosis Day, World Immunization Week, World Patient Safety Day, World Malaria Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and World AIDS Day.
World Blood Donor Day Themes
2023: “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.”
2022: Blood donation is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives
2021: Give blood and keep the world beating
2020: Safe Blood Saves Lives
2019: Safe Blood for All
2018:
2017: Give Blood. Give Now. Give Often
2016: Blood connects us all
2015: Thank you for saving my life
2014: Safe blood for saving mothers
2013: Give the gift of life : donate blood
2012: Every blood donor is a hero
Types of Blood Groups
Blood types are basically of 8 types (A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, AB-). A Pathologist can conduct a blood group test ( A blood group test is a simple test used to determine the blood group of an individual. It is also called ABO typing ). to determine the blood group.
| Blood Type | You Can Give to | You Can Receive From |
| A+ | A+, AB+ | A+, A-, O+, O- |
| A- | A-, A+, AB-, AB+ | A-, O- |
| B+ | B+, AB+ | B+, B-, O+, O- |
| B- | B-, B+, AB-, AB+ | B-, O- |
| O+ | O+, A+, B+, AB+ | O+, O- |
| O- | All Blood Types | O- |
| AB+ | AB+ | All Blood Types |
| AB- | AB-, AB+ | AB-, A-, B-, O- |
Type O blood group is called the universal donor, as it can be donated to recipients of any blood type. This is because type O blood group neither have A or B on the surface of the red blood cells.
Type AB blood group is called the universal recipient and can receive blood from the donors of any blood type. This is because type AB blood group have both A and B antigens on the surface of the red blood cells.
A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions.
Interesting facts about Blood Donation
On April 7, 2000 ‘Safe Blood Starts with Me’ was chosen as the theme of World Health Day
On May 2005 at the 58th World Health Assembly, the World Blood Donor Day was initiated and implemented
On June 11, 2009, the Melbourne Declaration was established where a goal was set for every country globally to receive blood supplies from voluntary donors
On December 6, 2013, the largest blood donation drive was held, which broke all records with the participation of over 61,902 blood donors across India
The amount of blood in an adult person on an average is 10 -12 pints
The shelf life of red blood cells in 42 days
It takes about 10-15 minutes to donate blood
Once you donate blood, you must wait for 56 days before you could donate again
1 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year
Time taken to donate platelets is 90 minutes
There are 8 types of blood; A+, B+, AB+, O+, A-, B-, AB- and O- (including both positive and negative Rh factor)
People with O blood group can give blood to everyone and are known as universal donors
Blood is made of 4 elements – white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets and plasma
One very important benefit of donating blood is that it helps in removing the iron deposits, which are harmful and are stored in the body.
The clearing of these iron deposits helps in restricting cardiovascular diseases, hemochromatosis etc. This way we can also keep your liver and pancreas healthy by means of replenishing blood.
Thus, by donating blood on a regular basis you can keep a check on the iron stores of your body to limit the risk of heart attacks too.
Further, since your body restores the lost blood in almost 48 hours, it makes you healthier and enhance your efficiency.
Also, it is said that blood donation enhances mental health as it reduces stress and augments emotional happiness.
The current Guinness World Record holder is Australian James Harrison, who retired from donation in 2018 at 81-years-old with 1,173 blood donations spanning over 60 years.