World Blood Donor Day 2009

Millions of people around the world owe their lives to individuals they will never meet – people who donate their blood to help others. But millions more still can’t get safe blood when they need it. World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on June 14 every year, provides a unique opportunity to thank those very special people that help and to raise awareness about the need for more support.

Established by the World Health Assembly, this day marks the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel laureate who discovered the ABO blood group system. There is broad international support to raise awareness of the need for safe blood around the world and encourage eligible individuals to donate blood regularly so that blood is readily available for all who need it when required.

The global theme for 2009 - achieving 100 per cent non-remunerated donation of blood and blood components, places a renewed emphasis on improving the safety and sufficiency of blood supply. As more and more countries achieve the goal of 100 per cent voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, there is growing appreciation of the vital role of voluntary donors who donate blood on a regular basis. Not only are they the safest blood donors, they are also the foundation of sustainable national blood supplies that are sufficient to meet the needs of all patients requiring blood and blood components.

The focus of this theme is the use of innovative approaches to community participation to increase voluntary blood donation, maintenance of a stable pool of regular voluntary donors and establishing or expanding blood component programmes based on hundred percent voluntary non-remunerated donation to achieve self-sufficiency.

WBDD Sponsors

The global event on 14 June 2009 will be held in Melbourne, Australia, hosted by the Australian Government in close association with the Australian Red Cross and Australian Red Cross Blood Service. The WBDD celebration will take place during the Australian Year of the Blood Donor which aims to enhance awareness of the need for ongoing and increased blood donation as well as the recruitment of new donors.