Origin
Every year on 14 June, countries
around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event was
organised for the first time in 2005, by a joint initiative of the World Health
Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and
to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood. World
Blood Donor Day is one of 11 official global public health campaigns marked by
WHO.
History
World Blood Donor Day is
celebrated every year by people around the world on June 14. It is celebrated
on the birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner on June 14, 1868.
World Blood Donor Day brings a
precious opportunity to all donors to celebrate and commemorate the birthday
anniversary of Karl Landsteiner (a scientist who won the Nobel Prize for his
discovery of the ABO blood group system).
Importance
Blood is a necessary resource for
the planned treatments and the urgent interventions. It is helpful for patients
who are suffering from life-threatening conditions for living longer and with a
higher quality of life. It supports complex medical and surgical procedures.
Theme
- A few themes for Blood Donation Day were 'Safe Blood Saves Lives'
- 'Safe Blood For All'.
- 'Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life.'