Every minute of every day there is always someone in need of blood across the world. This shows the need and importance of blood in saving lives. In order to bring about awareness of blood donation, WHO (World Health Organization) celebrates June 14th every year as World Blood Donor Day.
Along with WHO, this special day is supported by other organizations such as the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (FIODS), and the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Its main aim is to motivate more people to donate blood globally in order to save us from a variety of life-threatening health conditions that require transfusions.
As per WHO, the main objectives for the day are:
1) To thank donors for their life-saving gift of blood and highlight the theme of blood connecting us all.
2) To create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation, and inspire those who have not yet donated blood to start donating, particularly young people in good health.
3) To promote and highlight the need to share life by donating blood.
Blood donors are the key role players on this day. To donate, you may visit one of the many blood donation camps organized to commemorate world blood donor day or any of the blood banks in your vicinity.
The donor should be:
- Healthy.
- At least 17 years of age.
- Weigh at least 110 pounds.
- Have blood pressure in the range of 100/60 to 160/90 and a regular pulse in the normal range.
- Should not have donated blood within the past 8 weeks.
- Should not be on antibiotics or any blood-thinning drugs.
- Not be pregnant
The blood that is collected is immediately processed, and various components of the blood are separated. The processed blood is then stored in a refrigerated form until a need arises.
The donor is generally provided with a light refreshment after the donation. It should be able to leave within 5 – 10 minutes after the session. It is recommended that the donor continues to drink plenty of water for the rest of the day, and avoid any stressful activities.