{"id":5258,"date":"2026-06-14T15:32:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T14:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/?p=5258"},"modified":"2026-06-12T16:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T15:00:12","slug":"5258","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2026\/06\/14\/5258\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

World Blood Donor Day 2026<\/strong><\/h1>\n

World Blood Donor Day is held on 14th<\/sup> June each year and aims to highlight the need for safe blood and blood products. These products include red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2026 is One Drop of Humanity<\/em><\/strong>. Give Blood<\/strong>.<\/em> Save Lives<\/em><\/strong>., reminding us that each donation is an act of support, kindness and compassion for humankind.<\/p>\n

14th June is also the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930 for discovering the ABO blood group system, which transformed modern medicine. Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group system in 1901, and it is still crucial for blood transfusions today. The ABO blood group system classifies human blood types based on the presence or absence of two antigens, A and B, on the surface of red blood cells. People can have type A, B, AB (both antigens), or type O (neither antigen), and this decides who they can safely donate blood to or receive blood from.<\/p>\n

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Why give blood?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Blood donations are essential to health systems everywhere. Every donation acts as a lifeline, helping to support patients during emergencies, childbirth, surgeries, cancer treatment and the lifelong care of many other serious conditions. A minimum requirement of 1\u20132% of the population donating blood is essential to meet national needs \u2013 this level has yet to be reached in many countries. Safe blood relies upon people being willing to donate blood voluntarily and regularly, but countries still face shortages and access to safe blood and blood products. Every drop of blood donated can save a life. One unit of blood can save up to 3 lives, having a tremendous impact on the recipients and their families. World Blood Donor Day provides an opportunity to thank the countless unpaid voluntary donors who generously give blood to help save lives every day.<\/p>\n

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Who can give blood?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most people can donate blood if they are healthy. There are some essential conditions which must be met to become a blood donor. Some simple eligibility guidelines are:<\/p>\n