New Delhi: Every year countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day on June 14. As per the official website of WHO, the event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. A blood donation happens when a person willingly allows their blood to be taken out and utilised for transfusions or fractionated to create biopharmaceutical drugs. Blood in its entirety or a specific component may be directly donated. Blood banks frequently take part in both the operations that come before and after the collection process.


World Blood Donor Day 2023: History


June 14 was selected as World Blood Donor Day in honour of Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian-American physician and immunologist who is credited with establishing the ABO blood type system in the 1900s. The finding by Landsteiner was a significant advance in the field of blood transfusion medicine and allowed for the safe transfer of blood between individuals of various blood types. He was also awarded Nobel Prize in 1930 for his works on blood groups and the development of the modern blood transfusion system.


This day was first recognised in 2004 and in the 58th World Health Assembly, in 2005 it was declared as an annual global event to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation.


World Blood Donor Day 2023: Significance


Millions of individuals all over the world require blood transfusions each year to prolong their lives or maintain their health. However, there is a severe global blood shortage, and many people cannot access the blood they require. Thus, the necessity for safe blood and blood products must be brought to public attention on World Blood Donor Day. 


Additionally, World Blood Donor Day offers an opportunity to express gratitude to volunteer, unpaid blood donors for their contributions to life-saving blood. Millions of lives are saved, thanks to the voluntary blood donors who form the foundation of the blood supply.


World Blood Donor Day 2023: Theme


A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. The global theme of World Blood Donor Day changes each year in recognition of the selfless individuals who donate their blood to people unknown to them.


This year, the theme is 'Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.'