World Blood Donor Day
World Blood Donor Day is observed on June 14 across the world.
The day is part of the global public health campaign created by the World Health Organization to raise awareness in different areas of blood donation.
They wanted the public to know about the lack of good blood supplies in several countries and the significance of healthy people donating their blood.
Donating blood can help with medical treatments, emergencies, and research and save millions of lives. This day also shows gratitude to blood donors across the world.
History Of Blood Donation
Blood transfusions were attempted poorly in the past without proper research and that led to disastrous results.
The first person to properly examine the science behind blood donation and transfusions was Richard Lower. He tested the process on several animals and their blood circulation examining ways to stop blood clots in them.
His research succeeded when he drained and transfused blood between two dogs who did not show any side effects afterward. As a result, he gained huge popularity in the medical world and was invited to teach his methods at the Royal Society.
But, at the time, people thought it was safe to transfuse animal blood into human patients. Authorities quickly outlawed this and the practice of blood transfusion was not used for 150 years.
In 1818 an obstetrician saved the life of a patient who was losing blood by using a blood transfusion.
He successfully did so with five other patients throughout his career, saving their lives.
Research about blood transfusion was significantly carried forward in 1900 when Karl Landsteiner discovered the three ABO blood groups.
As a result of this research, the first officially recognized successful blood transfusion was performed at Mount Sinai Hospital in 1907
World Blood Donor Day
During the World Health Assembly in 2005, the WHO decided that World Blood Donor Day would be observed every year on June 14 in the honor of Karl Landsteiner's birthday.
How to Observe World Blood Donor Day
The best way to celebrate World Blood Donor Day is to make sure you're able to donate blood and look into blood drives that are organized in hospitals or health centers.
The blood donation process begins with a short physical exam to assess the donor's health and the donation takes about 10 minutes. A quick and easy way to help save someone's life.
Those who are not eligible to donate blood can help by encouraging family and friends to do so, by explaining to them the benefits of donating blood.
Overall, there are eight blood types (A, B, AB, and O) which can be either positive or negative. Type O negative blood is universal, meaning anyone can use it.
There is a different theme for World Blood Donor Day every year, and in 2023 the theme is "Give blood and keep the World beating"
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