World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is held on June 14 of every year. It is observed by all the member states of World Health Organization (WHO).
The World Health Organization initiated and declared June 14, the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, as World Blood Donor Day in 2004. A year after this, WHO and its member states launched Blood Donor Day to encourage all nations to recognize blood donors for their selfless efforts in saving people’s lives.
This year, it is campaigned with the slogan “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives.”
This day was created to
• raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood resources.
• highlight the contribution made by volunteering blood donors to the national health systems.
• support the organizations that help in donation of blood through campaigns.
The host nation for World Blood Donor Day this year is Mexico. Here the global event will be held in Mexico City through its National Centre for Blood Transfusion on June 14, 2022.
The main objectives for this year’s campaign are to
• thank blood donors in the world for their unpaid voluntary contribution and create awareness of the need for such regular donors.
• highlight the need for year-round blood donation to maintain adequate supplies.
• promote the voluntary unpaid donors by recognizing their contribution in enhancing
• raise awareness of the need for increased investment from governments.
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
A blood donor not only gives but also benefits from it. The following are the reasons they will benefit from –
• Lower risk of heart disease
• Free health checkup
• Lower risk of cancer
• Produces new blood cells
• Reduces weight
• Reduces iron overload in body and balances the iron level
This year, if you are reading this, donate blood today or any day because your small contribution will make a big difference in someone’s life.