Would you like to be a hero? Or better yet how about saving someone’s life? Here is your opportunity to make a difference in an individual’s life. June 14, 2012 marks World Blood Donor Day. The World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion, have worked collaboratively to promote voluntary blood donation through the celebration of World Blood Donor Day and other events. The main goal of World Blood Donor Day is 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. 

The theme of this year’s World Blood Donor Day campaign is “Every blood donor is a hero” focuses on the idea that every one of us can become a hero by giving blood. While recognizing the silent and unsung heroes who save lives every day through their blood donations, the theme also strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.

A student on the NCU campus gives blood recently during a visit by the Blood Bank

World Blood Donor Day builds on the success of World Health Day 2000, which was devoted to the theme ‘Blood Saves Lives. Safe Blood Starts With Me’. The enthusiasm and energy with which this day was celebrated was a powerful and positive response to the opportunity to thank the millions of people who give the precious gift of life through their donation of blood every year. It also builds on International Blood Donor Day organized annually by the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations since 1995.

The aim of designating this annual day was to link it to a global celebration by promoting voluntary non-remunerated blood donation throughout the world. By designating one special day to celebrate the role of voluntary blood donors around the world, it is hoped that a new generation of blood donors will follow their example, providing sufficient supplies of the safest blood possible for use wherever and whenever it is needed to save lives.

Another important objective of World Blood Donor Day is to focus national efforts on improving the safety and adequacy of national blood supplies by promoting a substantial increase in the number of safe, voluntary non-remunerated blood donors who give blood regularly.

So what are the benefits of donating blood? For those patients whom are prone to iron overload, blood donation prevents the accumulation of toxic quantities. The donation of blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men. Regular donors are often given some sort of non-monetary recognition. Time off from work is a common benefit.  Blood centres will also sometimes add incentives such as assurances that donors would have priority during shortages, free T-shirts, first aid kits, pens, and similar trinkets. 

There are also incentives for the people who recruit potential donors, such as prize drawings for donors and rewards for organizers of successful drives. Recognition of dedicated donors is common. For example, the Singapore Red Cross Society presents awards for voluntary donors who have made a certain number of donations under the Blood Donor Recruitment Programme starting with a "bronze award" for 25 donations.

Be a hero today and help save someone’s life.

Mikki Clarke