Words by Abi Scaife
Today is World Blood Donor Day, a day established by the World Health Organisation to encourage the selfless act of donating blood and contributing to lifesaving medical work.
Here is a quick explainer guide on what you need to know about this important day.
To put it simply, World Blood Donor Day is celebrated to serve as a reminder and educate people on the importance of donating blood. It also launches many campaigns to sign up new donors, with an emphasis on Black African, Black Caribbean, younger donors and rarer blood types.
The NHS says they need one million more donors before 2027 in order to keep up with the need for life-saving blood work.
Accident victims, surgical patients, and individuals with life-threatening conditions all benefit from blood transfusions. Without it, millions of people around the world would not be able to live fulfillingly or stay alive. Each donation can save up to 3 people, if split up into its component parts (plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
Common medical conditions that rely on regular transfusions are kidney disease, sickle cell, leukaemia and anaemia.
Besides doing a good deed, research has shown that there are a few personal benefits to giving blood. Here are a few:
Thankfully this is an easy step. If you would like to donate blood in the UK. The NHS has set up https://www.blood.co.uk/ where you can sign up to give blood, find your local donation centre, as well as find out how donating blood works.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Live Life Give Life. This is an awareness-building charity that sparks public interest in organ donating. Learn more here.
The NHS Blood and Transplant Charity Fund. This charitable fund utilises contributions from donors, patients, and the general public to enhance and save lives everyday. Find out more here.
The Sickle Cell Society. This charity is the only national charity in the UK that supports and represents people affected by a sickle cell disorder to improve their overall quality of life. Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
