Give blood and keep the world beating – World Blood Donors Day

Every year on June 14 is marked as the World Blood Donor Day. The objective of the day is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems.

It was celebrated for the first time in 2005, by a joint initiative of the World Health Organization, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on the birthday anniversary of Noble prize winner Karl Landsteiner, born on June 14, 1868. Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the ABO blood group system.

The theme for 2021 is “Give blood and keep the world beating”. The message highlights the essential contribution blood donors make to keeping the world pulsating by saving lives and improving others’ health. It reinforces the global call for more people all over the world to donate blood regularly and contribute to better health.

Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are a critical aspect of care and public health. They save millions of lives and improve the health and quality of life of many patients every day. The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in developing countries.

To ensure that everyone who needs safe blood has access to it, all countries need voluntary, unpaid donors who give blood regularly. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, despite limited mobility and other challenges, blood donors in many countries have continued to donate blood and plasma to patients who need transfusion. This extraordinary effort during a time of unprecedented crisis highlights the crucial role of well-organized, committed voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors in ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply during normal and emergency times.