World Blood Donor Day

Held on : 14th June

A Blood Donor is a person who gives Blood to be used for transfusions in various medical emergencies and requirements. According to WHO - Blood Transfusion is a vital component of health care. The threat to life due to insufficient Blood Stocks and the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections calls for a safe and adequate Blood supply for all those requiring Transfusion. As the need for Blood increases globally, young people can make an important contribution by donating blood and by recruiting other young people to become donors.

According to WBBD Organisers - Every second of every day, people around the world, of all ages and from all walks of life, need Blood Transfusions to survive.

The reasons for Transfusion vary but the demand for Blood is ever-present and growing:

• The number of accidents and injuries requiring Blood Transfusion is growing worldwide.

• Developing countries face chronic shortages of Blood which particularly affect children with severe anaemia due to malaria or malnutrition and women with complications of pregnancy or childbirth.

• As developing countries expand diagnostic and treatment options – for example, for cancers and Blood Disorders requiring Transfusion – the demand for blood is rising.

• Technological advances in industrialized countries have led to new medical treatment regimens and procedures requiring Transfusion.

Major Blood Donors are volunteers who want to benefit Mankind with their very own Blood which can save someone's life. All over the world millions of people donate their Blood for people whom they will never meet and yet they will contribute in saving their lives. However, the overwhelming majority of the world’s population do not have access to Safe Blood. Over 80 million units of Blood are donated every year, but only 38% are collected in developing countries where 82% of the global population lives. But at the same time evidence from around the world demonstrates that Voluntary Unpaid Donors are the foundation of a Safe Blood Supply because they are least likely to transmit potentially life-threatening infections, such as HIV and Hepatitis Viruses, to the recipients of their Blood. The World Blood Donor Day is dedicated to these unsung heroes. It is also aimed at creating awareness of the importance of voluntary Blood Donation and encourages more people to become regular Blood Donors.

History

World Blood Donor Day builds on the success of World Health Day 2000 which was devoted to the Theme ‘Safe Blood Starts With Me: Blood Saves Lives’. The enthusiasm and energy with which this day was celebrated indicated that there would be a positive response to an opportunity to give thanks each year to the millions of people who give the precious gift of life. And so the inaugural WBDD was celebrated in 2004, which also built on the 'International Blood Donor Day' organized annually by the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations since 1995. The World Blood Donor Day was initiated by various Health Organisation especially those involved in Blood Transfusion Medicine and Blood Transfusion Services, including the World Health Organization (WHO), International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (FIODS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 2004. These Organizations wanted to designate a day to pay tribute to all Blood Donors around the world and especially to those who give Blood on a regular basis two, three or more times each year.  The Fifty-Eighth World Health Assembly made a unanimous declaration of commitment and support for voluntary Blood Donation and Resolution WHA58.13 designated World Blood Donor Day as an annual event to be held each year on 14 June. The June Date was selected as it is the anniversary of the birth of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who discovered the ABO Blood group system. It is also aimed to inspire the new generation about the importance of Blood Donation especially providing Safe Blood wherever and whenever it is needed to save life.

WBDD was first observed in Johannesburg 2004, where celebrations were a phenomenal success with a major media event including musical entertainment with invited dignitaries, celebrities and the launch of a new video about youth programmes (Club 25 Programmes) with participation of more than 1,500 students from 27 schools. The inaugural WBDD celebrations were co-sponsored by the collaborative efforts of the four international organizations working for the provision of safe blood globally: the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (FIODS) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). Between them, these organizations represent 192 WHO Member States, 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 50 National, Voluntary Blood Donor Organizations and more than 3,000 Blood Transfusion Specialists throughout the world. The Event was highly successful and the global participation in WBDD grew in 2005 with unanimous global support arising from a special resolution at the World Health Assembly in May 2005 (WHA58.13), which designated WBDD to be an annual event on 14 June.

Events

• Every year, a different country hosts World Blood Donor Day and showcases their unique culture.

• An announcement concerning WBDD is routinely sent electronically to international and national media in advance of World Blood Donor Day informing them about the forthcoming event on 14 June and providing background information on key Blood Transfusion issues.

• Different cultural competitions in schools or other places which include creation of banners, essays, “Thank You Blood Donor” greeting cards and posters are held.

• Performances by local artists, composition of a thank-you song for Blood Donors, radio quiz and school debates about Blood Donation. Traditional dances celebrating the occasion are also held.

• Awareness Campaigns regarding the need for voluntary, unpaid Donation are organised in various countries all over the world.

• Material is published and distributed to Donors and future Donors which include folders, magazines, leaflets, T-shirts, brochures, phone cards and a range of other materials suitable for a variety of venues e.g., train stations, hospitals, schools, universities, etc.

• Government Department especially the Health Department publicly issue or announce a public statement recognizing and thanking Blood Donors for their generous contributions to their fellow citizens.

• Motorcycle rally, handball championship, friendly soccer match and marching event, and walks are organized in which Blood Donors and people from Health Institutions participate.

• In some countries a special Award is given which is titled “Donor of the Year”.

• Seminars and lectures on Blood Donation and related themes are held widely all over the globe.

• In some countries gifts of appreciation / recognition such as flowers for each Donor giving blood on WBDD and roses for all Donors are distributed.

• Certain Organisations organise a Major Event for honouring those who encourage voluntary, unpaid Donation.

Themes

• 2010: Spain - New Blood for the World. 
• 2009: Australia - Self sufficiency through voluntary plasma donation.
• 2008: Dubai - Giving Blood regularly, for safe and sustainable blood supplies.
• 2007: Philippines - Safe Blood for Safe Motherhood.
• 2006: Thailand - Community participation: commitment and Partnerships.
• 2005: London - Recipients/patients express their thanks.
• 2004: Johannesburg - Special focus on youth.

Symbol - The World Blood Donor Day Logo consists of Globe Stand with a Blood Drop representing as the Globe and a Human Figure representing all the Donors. It may have a strapline below it stating “Celebrating the gift of blood” or simply WBBD.

Holiday Status - It maybe a Holiday in certain Countries to facilitate Blood Donation.