World Blood Donor Day: Give the gift no shop can sell. Life itself

Blood is the lifeline of modern medicine, yet its availability depends entirely on human generosity. Every year, millions of lives are saved through blood transfusions, but this miracle of healthcare is only possible because of selfless donors. We celebrate World Blood Donor Day on June 14th, a day established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to honour voluntary blood donors. This blog looks at the critical importance of safe blood, the history of World Blood Donor Day and much more. It also talks about extraordinary Indians who have turned donation into a lifelong mission of compassion.

The vital need for safe blood

Safe blood transfusion is a cornerstone of healthcare, essential for surgeries, trauma care and maternal health. It is also vital for treating conditions like thalassemia and cancer. However, ensuring blood safety requires stringent protocols. Screening for infections (HIV, hepatitis B/C, syphilis, malaria), proper storage, and ethical donor selection. The WHO emphasises that 100% voluntary, unpaid donations are the gold standard for safety. They significantly reduce the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections compared to replacement or paid donations.

India, with its 1.4 billion population, requires approximately 15 million units of blood annually. Yet often faces shortages due to low donation rates (just ~1% of the eligible population donates). This gap makes awareness campaigns like World Blood Donor Day indispensable to inspire new donors.

The history of World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day, first observed in 2004, was born from a collaboration between the WHO, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and other global health bodies. The date, June 14th, honors the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel laureate who discovered the ABO blood group system—a breakthrough that made transfusions safe.

Each year, World Blood Donor Day adopts a theme to spotlight urgent needs. Past themes have included “Blood Connects Us All” (2016) and “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating” (2021). In 2023, the focus was “Donating Blood Is an Act of Solidarity,” underscoring how blood donation strengthens community resilience. The day is marked by events worldwide: blood drives, donor felicitations, and educational programs to debunk myths (e.g., “Donation weakens you” or “I’m too old”).

India’s blood donor heroes

While World Blood Donor Day celebrates donors globally, India has its own legends—individuals who’ve donated blood over 100 times, saving thousands of lives. Consider:

• Rajan Raikhy (Chandigarh): 220+ donations, donating almost monthly for decades.
• Vaishali Pandya (Gujarat): Among India’s few female “centurion donors” with 100+ donations.

  

• Dhananjai Agarwal (Delhi): 150+ donations, driven by the motto: “Hospitals must never run short.”

These heroes exemplify that regular donation is safe and sustainable. The human body replaces donated blood within weeks, and healthy donors can give blood every 56 days (for men) or 84 days (women). Their dedication also challenges societal barriers, like the misconception that women cannot donate (they comprise just 10% of India’s donor pool).

Who can donate blood?

Donation of blood is a safe and noble act that most healthy individuals can participate in, provided they meet certain basic criteria. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Generally, donors should be between 18 to 65 years old, though some countries allow 16-17-year-olds (with consent) and regular donors over 65 (at the physician’s discretion). Weight requirements vary slightly—at least 50 kg is standard, though some nations accept 45 kg for smaller donations.

Crucially, donors must be in good health at the time of donation, free from infections like colds, flu, or stomach bugs. Recent medical procedures, such as tattoos or piercings, require a 6-month deferral (or 12 hours if done by a licensed professional with no complications), while dental work may delay eligibility for 24 hours to a month, depending on the procedure. Hemoglobin levels are also checked onsite; women need at least 12.0 g/dL, and men require 13.0 g/dL.

National guidelines may vary, so it’s important to consult your local blood service for specifics. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular contributor, your willingness to give blood can save lives. Roll up your sleeve—you could be someone’s lifeline!

Thanks to regular donors

At Give.do, we honour the extraordinary donors who turn up and donate blood with the aim of saving lives. Safe blood is a shared responsibility. As we commemorate this day, let’s remember: No substitute for blood exists. Only people can save people.

This World Blood Donor Day, join the movement. Roll up your sleeve. Be someone’s miracle.

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V Kumara Swamy

Kumara was a professional journalist for over 15 years, with stints in The Telegraph and Reader’s Digest. He grew up hating maths and physics. He is a post-graduate in history. Kumara believes that cricket and Seinfeld have answers to most questions that life throws at you.