World Blood Donor Day 2023: Sometimes money can’t save a life but donated blood can! The best kind of people are those who help others without expecting anything in return. The percentage of deaths due to the non-availability of blood is increasing day by day. It is important to note that once bleeding begins, death can occur in about 2 hours, compared with 10 hours for eclampsia and 72 hours for obstructed labour. In such a situation, organizations around the world have made a commendable effort to celebrate World Blood Donor Day on 14 June to promote blood donation.
Attempt Earth Day Quiz Now!
World Blood Donor Day 2023 – Overview
World blood donor day is celebrated every year on 14 June. World Blood Donor Day is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). The day is observed every year to spread awareness about the importance of blood donation and to recognize the contribution of voluntary unpaid blood donors to save lives. Its aim is to raise awareness on a global level about safe and secure blood donation. The day also provides opportunities for government and non-government organizations to provide adequate resources for blood donation and to set up systems and infrastructure.
| Event | World Blood Donor Day |
| Date | 14 June 2023 |
| Host Country | Algeria |
| Theme/Slogan 2022 | Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often |
Know about world food safety day here.
World Blood Donor Day Theme 2023
For 2023, the theme of World Blood Donor Day is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often”. Join the effort and save lives” to draw attention to the role voluntary blood donation plays in saving lives and increasing solidarity within communities and saving lives.
Mexico will host World Blood Donor Day 2023 through its National Blood Center. The global event will be held in Mexico City on 14 June 2023.
Check the previous year’s blood donation day –
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Blood donation is an act of solidarity |
| 2021 | Give blood and keep the world-beating |
| 2020 | Safe Blood Saves Lives |
| 2019 | Safe Blood for All |
| 2018 | Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life |
| 2017 | Give Blood. Give Now. Give Often |
| 2016 | Blood connects us all |
| 2015 | Thank you for saving my life |
| 2014 | Safe blood for saving mothers |
| 2013 | Give the gift of life: donate blood |
| 2012 | Every blood donor is a hero |
Know about world environment day here.
History of world blood donor day
The first World Blood Donor Day was observed by WHO in 2004 and was declared an annual global event at the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian biologist and physician. He is considered the founder of modern blood transfusion. Established in the year 2004, the main objective of this program is to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products.
Criteria for Blood Donation
Any healthy adult, both male and female, can donate blood every three months. The good health of the donor must be absolutely assured. There are specific criteria to be met in order to donate blood which not everyone is aware of. The universally accepted criteria for donor selection are –
Age between 18 to 60 years
Hemoglobin – at least 12.5 g/dL
Pulse – between 50 to 100/min without any irregularities
Blood pressure – systolic 100-180 mm Hg and diastolic 50 – 100 mm Hg
Temperature – Normal (Oral temperature not exceeding 37.50C)
Body weight – not less than 45 kg
State of Health: The donor should be in a healthy state of mind and body.
Know about world no-tobacco day here.
The blood donation criteria is explained in below table.
| Blood type | Can donate RBC to | Can receive RBC from |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | A, AB | A, A-, O, O- |
| A- | A, A-, AB, AB- | A, O- |
| B+ | B, AB | B, B-, O, O- |
| B- | B, B-AB, AB- | A-O- |
| AB+ | AB+ | Everyone |
| AB- | AB, AB- | AB, A-, B-, O- |
| O+ | O, A, B, AB | O, O- |
| O- | Everyone | O- |
World Blood Donor Day Activities
For this year’s blood donation day, the world is encouraged to spread the stories of people whose lives have been saved through blood donation to regular blood donors. More is to motivate people in good health who have never given blood to start doing so.
Other activities include donor appreciation ceremonies, social networking campaigns, special media broadcasts, social media posts of individual blood donors with slogans, meetings and workshops, musical and artistic programs to thank blood donors and celebrate solidarity, and iconic monuments. Including painting it red.
Check details about world AIDS vaccine day here.
Blood Donor Day in India
Blood Donor Day is celebrated by many government and non-government organizations in India. On this occasion, an attempt is made to raise awareness regarding blood donation and clear the misconceptions related to blood donation. National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is celebrated in India on 1 October every year to share the need and importance of blood in a person’s life. It was first celebrated on 1 October 1975 through the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology.
Facts Related to Blood Donation
Donating blood benefits your emotional and physical health. According to a report by the Mental Health Foundation, helping others by donating blood reduces stress.
Only one unit of blood can be taken from the donor’s body, a common person has 10 units (5 to 6 liters) of blood, and any blood from 18 to 60 years of age can donate.
Do not donate blood if you are suffering from any kind of virus. For example, people suffering from HIV (AIDS), TB, hepatitis, and syphilis are prohibited from donating blood.
The ‘O negative’ blood group is a universal donor. People of any blood group can donate blood. Only 7 percent of the people in India have blood group ‘O negative’.
Donors may feel weak. Therefore, after donating blood, do not do any heavy work for 3 hours and it is necessary to take nutritious food.
Be aware of biological diversity day here.
Why Blood Donation is Important?
Blood donation has many health benefits, but the most significant aspect of the process is saving lives. It’s a good thing for you to donate blood, and it’s an even better thing for everyone who desperately needs it. Some benefits of blood donation are –
- Potential health issues can be revealed by giving blood
- It is possible to reduce harmful iron stores by donating blood
- You may be less likely to suffer a heart attack if you give blood
- You may be at a reduced risk of cancer if you give blood
- Your liver will stay healthy if you give blood
- Your mental health can be improved by giving blood
World Blood Donor Day FAQs
Every year on 14th June blood donor day is celebrated.
The theme of blood donor day 2023 is – Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.
Mexico has been chosen as the global event organizer for 2023 blood donation day.
Rh represents the Rhesus factor, and it’s a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. Those who have it are positive, whereas those who do not are negative. Rh-positive people are able to receive any type of blood transfusion, but Rh-negative people cannot.
Yes, different blood components can be stored for different amounts of time. Blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days; plasma can be frozen for a year, and platelets for only 5 days; this is why it is important to donate regularly.