World Blood Donor Day 2024: Give Blood, Save Lives
Every year on June 14, 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.
🩸WHEN IS WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2024?🩸
World Blood Donor Day is observed on June 14. Donating blood is not just for the sole purpose of transfusion — it has many other benefits for the health industry.
🌟HISTORY OF WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY🌟
The history of blood donation dates back to early experiments conducted with limited scientific understanding. Richard Lower was the first to systematically study blood donation, successfully transfusing blood between two dogs without significant adverse effects.
From these beginnings, the science of blood transfusion evolved, overcoming taboos and moving beyond animal experiments. Advances in transfusion technology and Karl Landsteiner’s discovery of the ABO blood type system significantly improved the process of matching donors. Blood transfusions quickly became essential in medical practice.
The success of World Health Day in 2000, which focused on blood donation and transfusion safety, led to a significant development. In May 2005, during the 58th World Health Assembly, health ministers worldwide unanimously declared June 14 as World Blood Donor Day, chosen to honor Karl Landsteiner’s birthday.
World Blood Donor Day aims to raise awareness about the need for regular blood donations, crucial for maintaining a stable supply in the healthcare industry. It also celebrates the dedication of medical professionals involved in research and development of new blood donation technologies and the medical teams who regularly use donated blood. This day serves to thank donors for their commitment to saving lives and improving the world.
❤️WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY TIMELINE❤️
April 7, 2000
The theme of World Health Day is ‘Safe Blood Starts With Me.
May 2005
World Blood Donor Day is created and implemented at the 58th World Health Assembly.
June 11, 2009
The Melbourne Declaration is established, setting up a goal for all countries to obtain all blood supplies from voluntary unpaid donors by 2020.
December 6, 2013
The largest blood donation drive is held, in which 61,902 participants donate blood all across India.
🌍🩸BY THE NUMBERS🩸🌍
Every 2 seconds – the frequency of someone in the U.S. requiring blood.
10 pints – the amount of blood in the average adult.
42 days – the shelf life of red blood cells.
10–15 mins – the time it takes to donate blood.
56 days – the minimum necessary waiting period between whole blood donations.
1 million – the number of people diagnosed with cancer every year.
38,000 – the number of blood donations needed every day.
38% – the percentage of the American population that is eligible to give blood.
2% – the percentage of people in America who actually donate.
90 minutes – the time it takes to donate platelets.
