Every year on June 14, different countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. On this day, we express our gratitude to people who voluntarily and freely donate their blood to save lives, and raise awareness of the need for regular blood donation to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients who need them.
Transfusion of blood and blood products saves millions of lives every year. It helps prolong the lives of patients suffering from life-threatening conditions and improve their quality of life. Transfusion of blood and blood products is necessary during complex medical and surgical procedures. It also plays a vital role in maternal and child health and during emergency responses to man-made and natural disasters.
Blood services that ensure patients have access to sufficient supplies of safe blood and blood products are a key component of effective health systems. Adequate supply can only be ensured through regular, voluntary and unpaid blood donation. However, in many countries, blood services face problems in ensuring sufficient supplies of quality and safe blood.
