World Blood Donor Day Celebrated on 14 June

14 June 2004 is a special day; World Blood Donor Day is dedicated to give thanks to voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. It also provides a special opportunity for a united, global celebration on a day that has particular significance: the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who discovered the ABO blood group system.

World Blood Donor Day hopes to create wider awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and encourage more people to become regular blood donors.

Although there have been many advancements in voluntary blood donation, 82% of the world lacks a steady and safe blood supply, and there is much room for improvement.

Many people live in poorer regions of the world with heavy burdens of disease and therefore need an adequate, safe supply of blood and blood products at all times. In these countries, blood is constantly needed for life-threatening conditions such as severe anaemia in children due to malaria and poor nutrition and pregnancy-related complications in women.

“A sufficient, safe blood supply is a key part of an effective health care system and essential for disease prevention,” says Lee Jong-wook, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). “In our work to increase access to treatment for people living with AIDS around the world, safe blood is a crucial part of our prevention and care strategy.”

14 June 2004 has been selected as World Blood Donor Day by three major organisations working for voluntary non-remunerated blood donation: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion. They represent 192 Member States, 181 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 50 national voluntary blood donor organizations and blood transfusion specialists throughout the world.

Campaigns with the theme “Blood, a Gift for Life” are being launched in all corners of the world. The main global launch of World Blood Donor Day will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In the United Kingdom, the National Blood Service (NBS) of the United Kingdom organises the activities of World Blood Donor Day. Supermarket giant ASDA will join forces with the NBS for a unique initiative which aims to increase the number of people giving blood, as well as promoting the importance of blood donation in general.

The partnership will see ASDA stores across the region taking part in a variety of events including blood donor sessions for staff and customers, announcements on in-store loudspeakers and coverage on ASDAtv and ASDAfm, as well as recruiting new donors both inside and outside local stores.

Clive West, ASDA Store’s Community Director, said: “As part of our continued commitment to supporting local communities, we’re delighted to team up with the NBS and hope our support will help many more people across the UK.”

The first screening of a new generation of advertisements, featuring a total of nine top celebrities is also being launched. Each tells a true story of how the individual celebrity’s life was touched by the need for blood. The initiative is intended to raise awareness and so encourage new donors to come forward.

For further details about the World Blood Donor Day, please visit the website http://www.wbdd.org