Each year on June 14th, people around the world unite to raise awareness for World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). This day serves as a reminder of the crucial role blood donors play in saving lives and improving health outcomes. Established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2004, WBDD aims to promote the importance of voluntary blood donation and to extend gratitude to those who contribute to this life-saving cause.
Every single blood or plasma donation is a precious lifesaving gift and regular voluntary unpaid donation is crucial to building a safe and sustainable blood supply. Access to a secure blood supply based on the voluntary unpaid donation is vital for all patients including many requiring life-long and regular transfusions for conditions such as β-thalassaemia and sickle cell disease.
Nevertheless, in many countries, blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood available, while also ensuring its quality and safety. Lack of access to safe blood and blood products – especially in low- and middle-income countries, impacts on all patients, including those requiring regular transfusion.
Blood insufficiency is experienced by more than 75% of patients with thalassaemia in low- and middle-income countries.
The 2024 Campaign
This year’s theme is “20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You Blood Donors!”, selected to commemorate the milestone of the 20th anniversary and the profound impact of blood donation on the lives of patients and donors. The campaign serves as an opportunity to express gratitude to blood plasma, and platelet donors in the world for their lifesaving donations. Moreover, it calls for action, motivating more individuals to join the global movement of blood donation.
The specific objectives of this year’s campaign are:
- to thank and recognize the millions of voluntary blood donors who have contributed to the health and well-being of millions of people around the world;
- to showcase the achievements and challenges of national blood programmes and share best practices and lessons learned;
- to highlight the continuous need for regular, unpaid blood donation to achieve universal access to safe blood transfusion; and
- to promote a culture of regular blood donation among young people and the general public and increase the diversity and sustainability of the blood donor pool.
Materials and Events
Download the Campaign Materials and join webinar “Experiences in Voluntary Donation Blood, and Organization of Blood Services in the Health System” by PAHO/WHO.
TIF’s Social Media Graphics
Download TIF’s social media graphics for WBDD2024.
Thank You Donors!
Blood transfusions are a lifeline for communities affected by thalassaemia, haemoglobin disorders, and rare anaemias, making a world of difference in their lives. Explore heartfelt testimonials from patients around the globe who express their deep gratitude to all blood donors.
Celebrate 20 years of World Blood Donor Day with ΤΙF!
The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) is pleased to invite you on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day 2024 to an important event entitled “Ensuring the quality and supply of blood and blood products in Cyprus and the EU”, which will be held Wednesday, 26 June 2024, from 15:00 to 17:00 at the House of Europe (30 Lord Vyronos Avenue, 1096, Nicosia).
In collaboration with the National Blood Donation Centre and under the patronage of the Cypriot Ministry of Health, this event pays tribute to our selfless blood donors from all over the world — heroes who are committed to saving lives through regular blood transfusions. This year’s celebration is all the more significant as the World Blood Donor Day was officially recognised by the United Nations two decades ago.
The discussions will focus on important issues such as blood safety and supply as well as the existing infrastructures of blood services in Cyprus. They will also address the forthcoming European Regulation on Substances of Human Origin (SoHO), which aims to harmonise blood safety standards and introduce comprehensive control systems for blood supply in EU Member States. These advances are vital for people with thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies, as well as people with rare anaemias who rely on regular red blood cell transfusions.
The event will feature messages by the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Ms Stella Kyriakides, representatives of the World Health Organization, the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), the European Blood Alliance (EBA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Haemovigilance Network, and others.
Further information will be available shortly.
