Importance of World Blood Donor Day
Blood donation is an activity in which a donor voluntarily donates blood, which is given to those in need. People who have been in major accidents, undergoing major surgery or suffering from some health problems require blood. Since blood cannot be manufactured artificially, a person’s blood requirement can only be fulfilled through donation.
Blood donation is a charitable activity that helps people and saves lives. World blood donor day celebrates the virtuous act of unpaid, voluntary blood donation and highlights the selfless contribution of blood donors.
This article discusses the history and significance of World blood donor day. Furthermore, the article highlights the various benefits of blood donation and its eligibility criteria.
What is World blood donor day?
World blood donor day is an event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations every year on 14 June.
World blood donor day celebrates the unpaid and voluntary acts of blood donors.
The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2024 is “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!”
What is the History of World blood donor day?
The celebration of World blood donor day by WHO first began in 2004. In the World Health Assembly held in 2005, WHO declared World blood Donor day as an annual event to be celebrated.
14 June was chosen as International Blood Donation Day as it is also the birthday of Austrian American immunologist and pathologist Karl Landsteiner. Landsteiner was given the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his contribution to developing the modern blood transfusion system.
What is the Significance of World blood donor day?
Through World blood donor day, WHO cherishes and recognizes the contribution of blood donors to saving millions of lives worldwide.
The event also showcases different countries’ blood programs, challenges, achievements, and learnings. Based on this learning, the WHO also shares an evolving set of best practices for blood donation.
The celebration of World blood donor day also promotes voluntary blood donation worldwide, especially among young people, by highlighting its profound impact on millions of lives.
Finally, World blood donor day focuses on the long-term goal of increasing the diversity and sustainability of the pool of world blood donation volunteers by raising awareness and compelling messaging.
What are the Benefits of Blood Donation?
Blood donation benefits both the person receiving the blood and the blood donor. Often, blood donations can save the life of the person receiving the blood or help them overcome a serious surgery or illness.
For the blood donor, blood donation presents the following benefits:
- Improvement in Cardiovascular Health: Regular blood donation can reduce blood viscosity, improving blood flow. An improved blood flow can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Controlling Blood Iron Levels: Repeated blood donation can help control the blood iron level in donors with excess iron. The condition of abnormal iron levels is called hemochromatosis.
- Detection of Health Issues: Blood tests done before blood donation can help identify any hidden health problems like high blood pressure, anaemia, abnormal haemoglobin levels and HIV/AIDS. Hence, blood donation can act as a mini-health check-up and help the donor obtain proper medical attention, avoiding long-term complications.
- Maintaining Liver Health: Controlling iron levels in the blood through blood donation also enhances liver health by lowering the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis C and other liver diseases.
- Increasing Happiness: The selfless act of blood donation also has psychological benefits for the donor. Helping someone in need through blood donation enhances positive emotions and can reduce feelings of depression, sadness and loneliness.
Who is Eligible to Become a Blood Donor?
The broad eligibility guidelines for becoming a blood donor are as follows:
- Age: Adults between 18 and 65 can donate blood.
- Weight: A body weight of at least 50 kg is recommended for a blood donor.
- Health: A person looking to donate blood should not suffer from flu, sore throat, cold or other infections during the time of donation. The blood donor must also meet the minimum blood haemoglobin requirement for blood donation (greater than 12 g/dL, 13 g/dL for females and males respectively).
- Behaviour: Individuals having a history of recreational drug use are not allowed to donate blood.
World blood donor day celebrates the unpaid, volunteer blood donors who positively influence lives worldwide. More people are encouraged to contribute to this selfless cause through international blood donation day. However, one must pass the eligibility criteria to become a blood donor.
To determine eligibility to become a blood donor, one must consult a doctor and schedule tests at Dr Lal PathLAbs to assess relevant health metrics.
FAQs
1. When is World blood donor day?
World blood donor day is celebrated on 14th June every year.
2. Does blood donation reduce red blood cells in the body?
The blood volume lost in the body due to donation is usually completely replenished within 48 hours for healthy blood donors.
