Theme: “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives”
On June 14, the world comes together to celebrate World Blood Donor Day, honoring the millions of people who selflessly give blood to save lives. Their kindness and generosity are a powerful reminder of the importance of community and solidarity. It’s a day to express gratitude, but also to highlight the ongoing need for safe and regular blood donations.
This year, we’re focusing on the power of hope that comes with every donation. Millions of patients worldwide rely on blood transfusions each year, and every donation brings hope to someone in need.
The campaign’s goals are clear:
• Raise awareness about the critical need for blood and plasma donations and their impact on patients’ lives.
• Encourage new and existing donors to give blood regularly, ensuring a stable blood supply.
• Showcase the positive impact of blood donors on the health and well-being of others, promoting values like solidarity, compassion, and community through blood donation.
• Build support from governments and development partners to invest in and sustain national blood programs, working towards universal access to safe blood transfusions worldwide.
Why Blood Donation Matters
Blood donation is more than a medical act — it’s a powerful gesture of humanity. Every few seconds, someone, somewhere, needs blood to survive. From accident victims and cancer patients to mothers facing childbirth complications and children battling anemia, the demand for blood never stops.
But here’s the truth: blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come from generous individuals willing to donate.
- Safe blood saves lives. A single donation can help save up to three lives.
- Every blood donation is a gift of hope. It can mean the difference between life and death for patients in need of transfusions.
- Blood donation is a collective effort and a powerful act of solidarity. By coming together as a community of donors, we ensure a steady and safe blood supply for all who need it.
- Anyone, anywhere, who needs a transfusion should have timely access to safe blood. However, in many cases, particularly during emergencies or in areas where donation systems are still developing, the demand often outpaces the supply.
- Everyone who can donate blood should consider making regular voluntary, unpaid donations so that all countries have adequate and reliable blood supplies.
Access to safe blood and blood products is essential for universal health coverage and is a key component of effective health systems. - Governments and partners must invest in strong national blood programs to ensure universal access to safe blood transfusions.
- Thank you to all blood donors for your invaluable contributions to bringing hope and saving lives.
Donating blood is safe, simple, and life-changing — for the recipient and for you. Because in the end, it’s not just blood you’re giving — it’s hope, strength, and a future.
- 14 million women experience hemorrhaging during childbirth each year. Timely access to safe blood transfusions is essential for an appropriate response and saving lives.
- Severe bleeding during and after childbirth is a leading cause of maternal death, especially in developing countries.
- Millions of babies and young children are also at risk: severe anemia, often caused by malnutrition and malaria, claims many young lives.
- Timely access to safe blood transfusions can prevent maternal and child fatalities. • A blood donation can save a mother. A baby. A future
How You Can Make a Difference
- Step forward as a voluntary blood donor and inspire those around you with your example.
- Make a year-round commitment to donate blood regularly and help maintain a steady supply.
- Motivate your family and friends to join the community of regular donors.
- Volunteer with local blood services—assist with outreach, donor care, and managing donation events.
- Learn your blood type and officially register as a donor.
- Share your journey and support on social media to promote World Blood Donor Day.
Who is Eligible to Donate Blood?
Donating blood is a noble act, and most healthy individuals can contribute. However, there are essential guidelines to ensure both donor safety and recipient well-being. Here’s a simplified overview of the basic eligibility criteria:
Age Requirements
- Generally, donors should be between 18 and 65 years old.
- In some countries, 16–17-year-olds may be allowed to donate, provided they meet specific health criteria and have parental/guardian consent.
- Regular donors above 65 may still be eligible, subject to medical approval.
- Some regions may limit donations to those under 60 years of age.
Weight Criteria
- The standard minimum weight to donate is 50 kg.
- In certain countries, individuals weighing at least 45 kg can donate up to 350 ml of blood, depending on local guidelines.
Health Status
- You should be in good overall health on the day of donation.
- You cannot donate if you’re suffering from:
- Cold, flu, sore throat, cold sores, stomach bug, or any active infection.
- Recent procedures that affect donation eligibility:
- Tattoo or body piercing: Wait 6 months. If done by a certified professional and fully healed, you may donate after 12 hours.
- Dental visit: Wait 24 hours after minor procedures, and 1 month after major dental work.
- A minimum haemoglobin level is required:
- ≥12.0 g/dL for females
- ≥13.0 g/dL for males
(This will be tested at the donation site.)
Travel-Related Restrictions
- Recent travel to regions with diseases like malaria, dengue, or the Zika virus may result in temporary deferral.
- Some countries may delay donations from individuals who have stayed in regions with risks like variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD).
Behavioral Criteria
- You must not donate if, in the past 12 months, you’ve engaged in high-risk sexual behavior.
- Permanent deferral applies if you:
- Have tested positive for HIV.
- Have ever injected recreational drugs.
Note: Additional behavioral and lifestyle criteria may vary by country.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- After childbirth, a deferral equal to the length of your pregnancy is recommended.
- Breastfeeding mothers should not donate until at least 9 months post-delivery, and 3 months after the baby is significantly weaned (i.e., relies more on solid food or formula).
Why should people donate blood?
Safe blood saves lives. Blood is needed by women with complications during pregnancy and childbirth, children with severe anaemia, often resulting from malaria or malnutrition, accident victims, and surgical and cancer patients.
There is a constant need for a regular supply of blood because it can be stored only for a limited period of time before use. Regular blood donation by a sufficient number of healthy people is needed to ensure that blood will always be available whenever and wherever it is needed.
Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets, and plasma, which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.
What happens when I give blood?
Whether you are a first-time or regular donor, the blood service must make sure that you will come to no harm by donating blood. This includes checking your blood to be sure it will be safe for the person who receives it.
Before you give blood, you will be asked questions about your medical history, including any medication you are taking, and about your current health and lifestyle. You may also be asked about recent travel; for example, if you live in a country where there is no malaria, you may be asked whether you have recently visited a tropical country. These questions will be asked only to safeguard your own health and the health of the person receiving your blood. You will be told whether you are eligible to give blood and, if not, whether you may be able to donate blood in the future. Any personal information that you give will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose.
It is very important to be truthful about any reasons why your blood might not be suitable. Although blood is always tested for infections that can be transmitted by transfusion, such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, a test may not be able to detect a very recent infection. This means that even though the blood may test negative for a particular infection, it might still infect a patient receiving a blood transfusion.
After answering the questions, you will also be given a brief medical examination that may include checking your pulse and blood pressure and ensuring that your weight meets a certain minimum. A drop of blood will then be taken from your fingertip to check that giving blood will not make you anaemic. Your health is very important to the blood transfusion service, and blood will not be taken unless you can safely give a donation that day.
Donating blood is very simple. You will be made as comfortable as possible, usually in a special chair or on a bed. The area inside one of your elbows will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution before a trained health worker inserts a sterile needle, connected to a blood collection bag, into your vein. It usually takes about 10 minutes to donate blood.
After resting for 10 or 15 minutes and taking some refreshment, you will be able to return to your normal activities, although you should avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. You should drink plenty of fluids over the next 24 hours.
How much blood will be taken? Will I have enough?
In most countries, the volume of blood taken is 450 millilitres, less than 10 per cent of your total blood volume (the average adult has 4.5 to 5 litres of blood). In some countries, a smaller volume is taken. Your body will replace the lost fluid within about 36 hours.
Is giving blood safe?
Yes. Remember that you will only be accepted as a blood donor if you are fit and well. Your health and well-being are very important to the blood service. The needle and blood bag used to collect blood come in a sterile pack that cannot be reused, so the process is made as safe as possible.
Does it hurt?
Just squeeze the inside of your elbow tightly, and you will get a quick idea of what the needle feels like. All you should feel is a gentle pressure and a momentary “pinprick” sensation. Blood donation is very safe, and discomfort or problems during or after donating are very uncommon.
Who can give blood, and how often?
The criteria for donor selection vary from country to country, but blood can be donated by most people who are healthy and do not have an infection that can be transmitted through their blood.
The age at which people are eligible to give blood varies, but is commonly between the ages of 17 and 65. Some countries accept donations from people from the age of 16 and extend the upper age limit beyond 65 years.
Healthy adults can give blood regularly, at least twice a year. Your local blood service can tell you how frequently you can give blood.
The blood service is concerned with the welfare of both the blood donor and the recipient (patient). Donors are often asked not to donate blood for a period of time in the interests of their safety and/or that of the blood supply.
You should not give blood if your own health might suffer as a result. The first concern of the blood service is to ensure that blood donation does no harm to the blood donor. You should not donate blood if:
- You are feeling unwell
- You are anaemic
- You are pregnant, have been pregnant within the last year, or are breastfeeding
- You have certain medical conditions, which might make you an unsuitable donor
- You are taking certain medications, such as antibiotics.
You may be able to donate blood at a later time. In some cases, however, in order to protect your own health, you will not be able to donate blood.
You should not donate blood if it might cause harm to the patient who receives it. Blood can transmit life-threatening infections to patients who receive blood transfusions. You should not donate blood if:
- You have or may recently have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV or syphilis, that can be passed on to a patient who receives your blood
- Your lifestyle puts you at risk of contracting an infection that can be transmitted through your blood: for example, if you have more than one sexual partner or have sexual contact with prostitutes
- Have you ever injected recreational, non-medical drugs
- You have recently had a tattoo, skin scarification, or ear or body piercing – your local blood service can tell you how long you must wait before giving blood
- You have had sexual contact with anyone in the above categories.
Department: Student Counselling Desk
Narayana Jaipur Center (NIHQ)