Every year on 14th June, organizations all around the globe celebrate World Blood Donor Day; an event that raises awareness to the importance that donating blood means to the health industry, as the range of uses is way more diverse than anyone thinks. From plasma treatments to research and emergency uses, donating blood has been an important cornerstone that has aided the world on several occasions.
HISTORY OF WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY
The history of this celebration goes far back, with the first transfusions done using poorly understood science and very early research. But it wasn’t until Richard Lower was the first one to examine the science of blood donation with animals. Richard managed to successfully transfuse blood between two dogs with no appreciable ill effects. The science that surrounded the topic of blood slowly developed from that point, breaking taboos and moving from animal experimentation. From progress in transfusion technology to Karl Landsteiner discovering the ABO human blood type system to best determine donors, blood transfusions quickly became a staple in health topics and the medical field.
Taking inspiration from the success of World Health Day in the year 2000, which focussed on blood donation and the safety of transfusions, ministers of health across globe made a unanimous declaration in May 2005, during the 58th World Health Assembly, to designate World Blood Donor Day as an annual event held on every June 14, choosing Landsteiner’s birthday to commemorate it.
Significance of World Blood Donor Day
The aim of this 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 also provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.
Importance of donating blood.
According to WHO, safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are critical aspects 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.
Slogan for World Blood Donor Day- 2021
‘Give blood and keep the world beating’ is the slogan for this year. 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. A special focus of this year’s campaign will be the role of young people in ensuring a safe blood supply.
Host for World Blood Donor Day 2021 events
This year, Italy will host World Blood Donor Day through its National Blood Centre. The global event will be held in Rome.
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