June 14 is World Blood Donor Day!

This year’s slogan is: “Give blood and keep the world beating.”

Did you know the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicates June 14 as the World Blood Donor Day? This day is dedicated to increasing awareness of the need for blood throughout the world and to make sure it is obtained properly and safely from individuals.

Blood transfusions are needed to save lives and are needed in every country. Everyone who can donate blood should do so to help those who are in need. You could save someone’s life!

The specific objectives of this year’s campaign are to:

• Thank blood donors in the world and create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation.

• Promote the community values of blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion.

• Encourage youth to embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood and inspire others to do the same.

• Celebrate the potential of youth as partners in promoting health.

Do you know the different blood types?

There are four primary blood types that exist. The types are:

• O
• A
• B
• AB

Blood type is passed down from your parents and is determined by genetics.

Blood type determines what antigens are present on your red blood cells. If someone is Type A, they have the A-antigen present. This person would also produce antibodies for the B-antigen. These antibodies would “attack” any red blood cells that present with this antigen, which is why it is super important that a person receiving blood is matched with the correct blood type.

There is also another factor that determines blood type, called the Rh factor. The Rh factor determines why some people are denoted as either + or – after their blood type. Rh factor is similar to blood types and if someone is positive, that means they have the Rh antigen present on their cells.

Universal donors are O negative. Universal acceptors are AB positive.

Blood type is almost evenly spread across all races around the world. AB- blood type is the rarest blood type and it is especially important for people who are AB- to donate blood when they can!

Donating blood is a simple process.

In the US, there are certain guidelines on who can donate blood and when:

• Must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent)

• Must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health

• Must wait at least eight weeks from last donation

Certain disease states and criteria can exclude people from donating blood, such as:

• Fever

• Taking blood thinner (other than Aspirin)

• HIV/AIDS

• Men who have sex with men (must be three months at least since last intercourse)

• Certain medications

Even if you can’t donate blood but still want to help out, there are many ways people can, such as volunteering at a donation drive.

Go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/ for more information and where you can sign up!

References:

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-types.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/06/14/default-calendar/world-blood-donor-day-2021

Pictures:

https://www.orthoclinicaldiagnostics.com/global/covid19/home/three-things-to-know-about-the-association-between-blood-type-and-covid-19

https://www.india.com/festivals-events/world-blood-donor-day-2020-know-all-about-the-day-and-why-it-is-important-4053098/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type