As the coronavirus epidemic rages on and the world continues to celebrate those on the frontlines: nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers, what better time to recognize the need for blood donation?
Did you know that when one person makes a blood donation it can save as many as 3 lives with that single donation? Did you know that in the US there is someone in need of a blood donation every 2 seconds?
World Blood Donor Day celebrates and honors the importance of donating blood. In fact, did you know when someone is in need of blood or platelets, those must come from another human? The medical community can’t synthetically produce blood and wants the world to have some blood awareness.
Read on to learn about World Blood Donor Day and why it’s a day worth recognizing.
World Blood Donor Day Background
The World Health Organization has been a constant source of news through the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, they are busy doing other important work beyond teaching and warning the world about the coronavirus.
They have 8 designated days each year where they celebrate a public global health initiative. World Blood Donor Day is one of those days, celebrated each year on June 14.
The WHO started World Blood Donor Day in 2004. Their goal was to draw attention to the importance of blood, blood donation, and blood products.
The initiative really got started after the WHO held its World Health Day in 2000. They wanted to promote not only donating blood but also having safe practices in the blood industry.
Highlights in the technology and development of blood science are featured. It’s also a way to say thank you worldwide to donors across the globe.
The WHO started the initiative in May 2005. In June of 2009, they set a goal for all countries around the globe to get blood from unpaid donors. In 2013, they broke a world record in India for blood donation.
Blood Facts to Know
There’s a reason knowing about blood is important. The statistics are noteworthy.
Getting people out to make blood donations is especially important when you realize that only 38% of the world’s population is eligible to donate.
Blood is sorted by type. Blood types are A, B, AB, and O. Then the blood type is either positive or negative Rh. So, a person could have blood type B positive.
Those who have the O negative blood type are particularly worthy donors as they can donate to any person with any blood type.
Blood is also separated into 4 categories:
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
- Plasma
Daily in the US, 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed. Likewise, 7,000 platelets are needed daily and 10,000 units of plasma are used.
Over the course of a year, 4.5 million people in the US will need a blood donation. The average car accident victim can use up to 100 units of blood.
Celebrate World Blood Donor Day
One of the most significant ways to honor this day is to go and give blood. Carve out the one hour needed to make a blood donation. You’ll feel great for making such an important contribution.
Donating really is only about an hour. When you arrive to donate blood, you answer some basic health questions and you are screened prior to donating. The time it takes to donate a pint of blood is actually only about 10 minutes. Once done, they give you a snack and you can be on your way knowing what good you have done.
As the benefactor of a blood donation, you are a perfect ambassador to spread the word of this day’s importance. Ask and encourage friends and family to find an hour to make a donation.
2020 World Blood Donor Day
The World Health Organization is promoting the 2020 event with the slogan, “Give blood and make the world a healthier place.”
Their goal is to help people see how significant they can be by making a blood donation. Don’t feel overwhelmed by the big overall need and numbers. Instead, understand what an impact your pint of blood can make.
Their goal is to spread the word at a global level about the importance of having viable blood donations in all communities around the world. The WHO is encouraging:
- Governments
- National health authorities
- National blood transfusion services
They want every type of infrastructure that benefits from blood donation to get involved. They also want them to find ways to facilitate easy blood donation for their communities.
The WHO says their 2020 objectives are as follows:
- Say thank you and recognize those who make blood donations
- Encourage others to make a blood donation
- Share the urgency of blood donation
- Raise awareness of the need for access to safe blood and blood transfusions
- Advocate the health care community to promote safe blood donation
The WHO reaches out to governments and health organizations across the globe to promote the importance of blood donation.
The WHO also wants to get blood donations increased in places that currently pay for blood. Developed countries have created a network where people make blood donations voluntarily and without being paid for it.
In many underdeveloped countries, blood donation is not that advanced. They must rely on paying people to donate. The WHO has a continued objective to work to help those underdeveloped countries create an unpaid blood donation network.
Unfortunately, because of the impact of COVID-19, this year’s World Blood Donor Day events will be limited to a virtual event.
Celebrate Donation on World Blood Donor Day
World Blood Donor Day helps to recognize the importance of safe blood donation. It illuminates the importance of having a healthy blood supply available all across the globe.
For information about blood donation opportunities, contact us today.