World Blood Donor Day - 14th June

World Blood Donor Day is observed on 14th June every year. This international event aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and to celebrate blood donors worldwide. The day also highlights the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and recognise the vital role that blood donors play in saving lives.

This year is the 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day and serves as an opportunity to thank blood donors across the world for their life-saving donations over the years!

The main aim of World Blood Donor Day is to encourage more people to become regular blood donors and to ensure the availability of safe and sufficient blood supplies for patients in need. It reminds people that every blood donation can make a significant difference in saving lives and improving the health of individuals and communities, examples such as:

• reducing maternal and child mortality

• supporting complex medical and surgical procedures

• treating various diseases and conditions

Every year the NHS need around 143,000 new donors to ensure they have the right mix of blood groups to meet patient needs now and in the future. Men can give blood every 12 weeks and women can give blood every 16 weeks. This is because men generally have higher iron levels than women.

To donate blood you will need to:

• be generally fit and well

• be aged between 17 and 65

• weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and 25 stone (158kg)

• have suitable veins (these will be checked before donation)

• meet all donor eligibility criteria (this will be checked before donation)

For further information on giving blood and how you can help, visit Home - NHS Blood Donation