World Blood Donor Day 2019
Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD).
Organised by the World Health Organisation, WBDD celebrates the contribution that blood donors across the globe make in saving lives and improving health, every single day.
June 14th was chosen as World Blood Donor Day as it is the anniversary of Karl Landsteiner’s birth. Often referred to as the forefather of blood transfusion, Landsteiner identified the ABO blood group system, and in 1907 his findings were used to carry out first successful blood transfusion. In 1930 Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize.
However, in many countries, blood supply is inadequate, or unsafe, or both – a difference particularly marked between high and low income countries. Voluntary, unpaid blood donors – such as we have in Scotland – are regarded as the safest type of donors, and we would like to thank every single one of you. The World Health Organisation’s goal is for all countries to obtain all their blood supplies from voluntary unpaid donors by 2020.
The theme of this year's World Blood Donor Day is 'Safe blood for all'. In Scotland, we would like to ask donors to be blood group aware, by finding out your blood type, and watching blood stock levels to find out the best time to give blood.
Happy World Blood Donor Day, from everyone at Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service.
- Help us celebrate by asking someone you know to sign up as a blood donor, by calling 0345 90 90 999 or fill out our online form