June 14 World Blood Donor Day

(June 13, 2009) World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) will be celebrated throughout the world on Sunday to create wider awareness of the need for safe blood for transfusion and the importance of blood donation. The global theme of this year’s observance is “Celebrating the gift of blood”, which places a renewed emphasis on improving the safety and sufficiency of blood supplies through the achievement of 100 per cent voluntary non-remunerated donation of blood and blood components. Based on the experience gained from the celebration of International Blood Donor Day since 1995 and World Health Day 2000, which focussed on the theme of blood safety, the first World Blood Donor Day was held on 14 June 2004. The annual observance unites the world in a celebration of the selfless individuals who donate their blood to save the lives and improve the health of people whom they will never meet. As more and more countries achieve the goal of 100 per cent voluntary non-remunerated blood donation there is growing appreciation of the vital role of voluntary donors who donate blood on a regular basis. World Blood Donor Day is jointly sponsored by four core agencies: the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.