June 14, World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on June 14, and is a relevant day because it seeks to raise awareness of the need for a safe and stable blood supply, and to recognize volunteer blood donors for their vital contribution to patient care.

The American Red Cross celebrates World Blood Donor Day by thanking all blood and platelet donors, both past and future.

Unfortunately, blood donations tend to decline in the late spring and early summer, especially during holiday weeks such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. Unfortunately, this was confirmed last month, when the Red Cross collected 20,000 fewer blood donations than needed to protect the Red Cross blood supply nationwide.

Blood and platelet donors are crucial to helping patients in need of life-saving blood and platelet transfusions.

According to the American Red Cross, only three out of every 100 people in the United States donate blood, making blood donors a very special and generous group.

That’s why on this day those who may be eligible are encouraged to join this life-saving group by rolling up their sleeves and donating blood or platelets now and in the coming weeks this summer.

Here we remind you of the importance of donating blood because it saves lives, it is used in surgeries, emergencies, cancer treatments, anemia, hemorrhages and also in complicated deliveries.

There is no artificial substitute, blood can only be obtained through donations. Each donation can benefit up to 3 people (red blood cells, platelets and plasma) and blood banks require regular supplies, since blood has a limited shelf life, for example red blood cells last 42 days.

Here are some facts about blood donation.

Only 42% of global donations are voluntary (WHO, 2023).

Every 2 seconds, someone needs blood worldwide, so it is important to make more people aware of the importance of voluntary blood donations.

An adult has ~5 liters of blood and donates ~450 ml (less than 10%).

Norway, Switzerland and Germany are among the countries with the most voluntary donors.

So remember you don’t need to know your blood type to donate blood and save lives. Schedule your donation using the Blood Donor app, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).