World Blood Donor Day 2024
Date:World Blood Donor Day 2024
- Observed annually on June 14.
- In 2024, it falls on a Friday.
History:
World Blood Donor Day has its roots in significant medical advancements:
- 1940: Richard Lower performed a successful blood transfusion between two dogs, laying the groundwork for modern blood transfusion techniques.
- 2005: The World Health Assembly officially designated June 14 as World Blood Donor Day. This date was chosen to honor Karl Landsteiner, whose discovery of the blood group system made safe blood transfusions possible.
Significance:
- The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation.
- It encourages more people to donate blood to ensure a constant supply for the healthcare industry.
- Blood donation is crucial for treating various medical conditions such as blood loss, anemia, and cancer.
Theme for 2024:World Blood Donor Day 2024
- “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors.”
- Marks the 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day.
- Emphasizes appreciation for voluntary blood donors and highlights the progress and ongoing challenges in blood donation.
Key Messages by WHO
- Safe blood saves lives: Blood is crucial for women with complications during pregnancy and childbirth, children with severe anemia (often due to malaria or malnutrition), accident victims, and surgical and cancer patients.
- Universal Need, Unequal Access: While the need for blood is universal, access to safe blood is not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries.
- Regular Donation is Key: Regular donations by healthy individuals are essential to maintaining a stable and safe blood supply.
- Blood and Plasma Donations are Precious: Each donation is a lifesaving gift that helps build a sustainable blood supply.
Facts:World Blood Donor Day 2024
- First Successful Blood Transfusion: Performed by James Blundell in 1818.
- Global Blood Donations: According to WHO, 118.5 million blood donations are collected worldwide, with 40% from high-income countries, which comprise only 16% of the world’s population.
- U.S. Blood Demand: Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets. Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused annually in the U.S.
- Universal Donor: Type O negative blood is the most requested blood type by hospitals.
- Voluntary Unpaid Donations: An increase of 10.7 million blood donations from voluntary unpaid donors was reported from 2008 to 2018. Seventy-nine countries collect over 90% of their blood supply from voluntary unpaid donors, while 54 countries rely on family/replacement or paid donors for more than 50% of their supply.
Conclusion:
World Blood Donor Day highlights the critical role of voluntary blood donors in the healthcare system. It serves as a reminder of the importance of regular blood donations and aims to ensure universal access to safe blood transfusions. This year marks a significant milestone, celebrating two decades of life-saving contributions by blood donors worldwide.