June 14th: World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day takes place on 14 June each year. The aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. The day also provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

When is World Health Day?

For 2021, the World Blood Donor Day slogan will be “Give blood and keep the world-beating”.

Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are critical aspects of care and public health. They save millions of lives and improve the health and quality of life of many patients every day. The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in developing countries.

When is World Heart Day?

The specific objectives of this year’s campaign are to:

• thank blood donors in the world and create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation;
• promote the community values of blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion;
• encourage youth to embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood and inspire others to do the same;
• celebrate the potential of youth as partners in promoting health.

When is World Red Cross Day?