According to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the UK currently needs 400 new blood donors a day to meet the demand.

Every year on 14th June, countries from around the globe celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The awareness day was established in 2004 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and its aim is to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their life-saving donations.

Safe blood for all

The slogan for WBDD 2019 is ‘Safe blood for all’. This reflects the two key messages behind the campaign. Firstly, raising awareness of the universal need for safe blood in the delivery of health care and secondly, the crucial role that voluntary donations play in achieving the goal of universal health coverage.

Statistics retrieved by the WHO state that 90% of people who are eligible to donate blood are not currently doing so. Because of this, the theme for this year’s WBDD strongly encourages more people all over the world to become blood donors and donate blood regularly. By doing so, your donated blood will go on to help treat patients with medical conditions such as anaemia, cancer blood disorders, and those having surgery.

Why should I donate blood?

To put it simply, donating blood saves lives. Just one donated unit of blood can save up to 3 lives, through separation and use of its components. A few examples of how blood donations can help improve and save lives include:

• Helping women who experience complications during their pregnancy.
• Assisting children with severe anaemia often resulting from malaria or malnutrition.
• Aiding people with severe trauma following man-made and natural disasters.
• Helping patients survive complex medical and surgical procedures.

Can I donate blood?

To donate blood in the UK, you need to hit a range of criteria concerning your age, weight and health. According to the NHS, you can donate blood if you:

• Are fit and healthy.
• Weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs and 25 stone.
• Are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before).
• Are over 70 and have given blood in the last two years.

If you are within the above brackets concerning your age and health, there are still a few more factors that you need to consider before donating blood. For example, if you have had a recent tattoo or piercing, or if you have travelled abroad in recent months. For more information, click here to access the NHS blood donation FAQs page.

The NHS advise that men can give blood every 12 weeks and women can give blood every 16 weeks. If you wish to register yourself as a donor, click here to fill in the online application.

Get involved

If you are unable to make a blood donation, there are many other ways you can get involved in WBDD 2019. They include:

Fundraiser for blood charities - Help raise vital funds for blood cancer charities such as Bloodwise, DKMS and Leukaemia UK. Get your friends, family members and co-workers involved by organising events such as fun runs, bake sales and sponsored walks.

Social media - Raise awareness of the campaign by spreading the word on your social media channels. Use the hashtag #WorldBloodDonorDay to join the thousands of people worldwide talking about blood donation.

If you want to know more about blood donation, or if you have any other wellbeing concerns, please call our free, 24-hour helpline on:

0800 030 5182