World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is observed every June 14 of every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “the aim of this observance is to raise global awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems.” This year, the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) theme is “Give blood and keep the world beating”. This message aims to highlight the essential contribution the blood donors make to keeping the world pulsating by saving lives and improving others’ health.

The specific objectives of this year’s WBDD are to thank blood donors and create 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 same; and celebrate the potential of the youth as partners in promoting health.

According to the Philippine Red Cross, a healthy individual may donate blood every three months. To donate, one must be between 18-60 years old and must weigh at least 50 kgs. Before donating, your weight, blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature will be checked by a professional health staff. If your pulse rate is between 60 and 100 beats/minute with regular rhythm and your blood pressure is between 90 and 160 systolic and 60 and 100 diastolic, and your hemoglobin is at least 125 g/L, you are good to go.

There are a lot of places where you can donate blood. You may go to Blood Service Facilities such as the Philippine Blood Center and the Philippine Red Cross. A lot of various mobile blood donation activities are being conducted in your community by non-government organizations. Be always updated by following the Facebook pages of such facilities and organizations.

One’s involvement and support will help ensure greater impact and success of the World Blood Donor Day this year. Increasing recognition worldwide that giving blood is a life-saving act of solidarity and that services providing safe blood and blood products are essential elements of every health care system. Thus, in observance of the World Blood Donor Day, don’t forget to donate blood!

NO I Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot

References:

1. “Announcing World Blood Donor Day 2021” from https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/06/14/default-calendar/world-blood-donor-day-2021

2. “14 June is World Blood Donor Day” from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day

3. “Who can donate?” from https://doh.gov.ph/node/1449

4. “World Blood Donor Day” from https://www.dilg.gov.ph/events/World-Blood-Donor-Day/584