World Blood Donor Day being observed today

World Blood Donor Day, an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) is being observed to spread awareness about the importance of blood donation. 

According to WHO, many developing countries face severe shortage of blood. Especially during COVID-19, plasma and blood donations have been the beacon of hope for those who were suffering from the novel coronavirus.

This year's slogan of the World Blood Donor Day is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity; Join the effort and save lives”.

The day highlights the contribution the blood donors have made in this regard, emphasizing the importance of blood donation.

Moreover, it’s a global call for people to come forward and donate blood regularly.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on the birthday of an Austrian biologist and physician, Karl Landsteiner who is the founder of modern blood transfusion.

The first ‘World Blood Donor Day’ was observed by WHO in 2004. Later in 2005, it was declared as an annual global event in the 58th World Health Assembly.

Blood is an important source of oxygen and nutrition for our body’s cells. So to understand the value of donating blood, World Blood Donor day is celebrated across the globe. 

The day also provides an opportunity to call to action governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, unpaid blood donors and to manage access to blood and the transfusion of those who require it.