WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY JUNE 14

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14, throughout the world to acknowledge and thank all those people for their generosity, who volunteered to donate blood and save lives,” said Roy Roper, President and CEO of Blood Bank of Delmarva. "We take this opportunity to thank our donors and ask people to spread the word that blood donations are vitally important in our community and in every part of the world.” June 14 marks the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who discovered the ABO blood group system.

The 2011 global event for World Blood Donor Day, will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, hosted by the Government of Argentina. This year, WHO and partners are encouraging communities in every country to join the World Blood Donor Day campaign and “Paint the world red,” whether by symbolically coloring, covering or lighting monuments, popular landmarks and buildings in red; staging artistic, cultural or musical events with a red-colored theme; or forming a “human blood drop” in prominent public places. 

General eligibility for donating blood: Anyone who is healthy (devoid of illnesses), above 17 and weighs over 110 pounds is eligible to donate blood. Pregnant, lactating women, people on medication, drugs, alcohol, those having low haemogloin count (anaemia) should not donate blood. A healthy meal should be eaten 4 hours prior to donation. Drink plenty of water. 

To donate blood is the most precious and unique gift from one human being to another. The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2011 is "More Blood. More Life".