Every year on June 14, World Blood Donor Day is celebrated.
In May 2005, during the World Health Assembly, the world's health ministers unanimously adopted a statement of commitment and support for voluntary blood donation. In resolution WHA58.13, they decided to hold World Blood Donor Day on June 14 each year, the date of which is timed to coincide with the birthday of Karl Landsteiner (1868-1943) —, an Austrian doctor and immunologist, Nobel laureate who discovered human blood groups.
World Blood Donor Day — is a special day celebrated in honor of free blood donors. The objectives of this event are to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and its products and, of course, to express gratitude to donors who voluntarily and gratuitously provide their blood to save human lives.
The day is coordinated by the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Society for Blood Transfusion and the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations.
The Day's events are attended by 193 UN member states, 186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, dozens of voluntary donor organizations and numerous blood transfusion specialists from all over the world.
Every second around the world, people of any age and origin need blood transfusions for life reasons. Transfusions of blood and blood products save millions of human lives every year. Although the need for blood is universal, access to it by those who need it is unfortunately not universal. Blood shortages are particularly acute in developing countries, where the majority of the world's population lives.
In addition, every year emergencies occurring in the world threaten the lives and health of millions of people. In the past decade, disasters have claimed more than 1 million lives and affect more than 250 million people each year. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes create significant emergency medical needs. Anthropogenic disasters, as well as road accidents and armed conflicts, also create great needs for first-line medical care and therapy.
There are approximately 118.5 million blood donations recorded worldwide each year, approximately half of which come from high-income countries, home to 16% of the world's population. That is, 62 countries provide 100% of their blood supplies thanks to voluntary, unpaid donors. Today, proper and reliable blood reserves can only be ensured through regular, voluntary and free blood donations around the world. In addition, such donors are also the safest group of donors, as they have the lowest prevalence of blood-borne infections.
The sponsoring organizations have therefore established a steering committee whose functions include planning Blood Donor Day activities at the global and national levels. One of the important tasks is the widest possible coverage of the Day's events in the media, among which the most common are — scientific conferences, meetings, memorial ceremonies, publications, distribution of relevant materials in the media and others.
In addition, every year events within the framework of the Day are held under a certain motto. So, over the years, the topics of the Day were the words: «New blood for the world», «Every blood donor — hero», «Give life: become a blood donor», «Safe blood to save mothers», «Thank you for saving my life», «Blood unites us all», «Give blood. Hand it over now. Surrender it often», «Think about others. Donate blood. Share life», «Safe blood for all», «Safe blood saves lives», «Give blood, let life throb in the world», «Blood donation — act of solidarity. Become a donor and save lives», «Give blood, donate blood plasma, share life and do it often» and others.
Let us remind you that National Donor Day in Russia is celebrated annually on April 20.
• Infographics – poster «World Donor Day»
• Article «Blood Donor Day: How to Be Part of a Good Company?»