नवीनतम
World Blood Donor Day today
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated annually on June 14 to express gratitude for the selflessness of voluntary blood donors across the world. Blood is an invaluable contribution that one individual can offer to another, a profound gift that sustains life itself.
By making the choice to donate blood, a person has the potential to rescue a life, or perhaps multiple lives, as the blood can be divided into its essential components like red cells, platelets, and plasma, which can be administered separately to patients with specific medical needs.
World blood Donor Day Theme 2023
The slogan or theme of the World Blood Donor Day 2023 is "Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often." The theme highlights the importance of giving blood or blood plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can be always available, all over the world, so that all patients in need can receive timely life saving treatment.
HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE
In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) initially established World Blood Donor Day. During the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005, it was officially designated as an annual global event to promote awareness about the significance of blood donation.
The history of blood donation dates back to ancient times, but it was in recorded history that English physician Richard Lower made notable advancements in the field.
His groundbreaking work on blood transfusion and the understanding of the cardiopulmonary system, as described in his book 'Tractatus de Corde,' gained recognition. Lower was the first to experiment with blood donation using animals and achieved a successful blood transfusion between two dogs without significant adverse effects.
However, the WHO decided to commemorate the birthday of Karl Landsteiner as World Blood Donor Day. Landsteiner, an Austrian-American immunologist and pathologist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his contributions to the study of blood groups and the development of the modern blood transfusion system.
SIGNIFICANCE
The importance of donating blood is not only to save the lives of thousands of people who are deprived of life, but also to save the lives of many more who are affected by various diseases and help them to fight numerous illnesses.
Blood donation does not cause weakness. As per published literature, Blood volume (plasma) is replenished within 24-48 hours. Red blood cells are replenished in 3-4 weeks in healthy adults after donation.
Blood donation benefits
Blood donation has profound health benefits. It not only does it provide essential support in medical emergencies, patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, but it also holds significant advantages for the donors themselves.
Regular blood donation helps maintain healthy iron levels in the body, reducing the risk of conditions like hemochromatosis. This protects the body against cardiovascular diseases and minimises heart attack risks.
Blood donation help with early detection of certain health conditions, such as anaemia or infectious diseases
After donating blood, the body produces new cells to enhance overall health and works towards replacing the volume of blood lost within 48 hours of donation.
Most of the people who donate their blood tend to recover fast from their diseases and even live a longer life, it also helps in weight loss and in maintaining healthy liver reduces risk cancer.
