World Blood Donor Day 2024: 20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you blood donors!
By Dr Helmi Ismail, Medical Advisor of PMCare
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated globally on June 14th each year to raise awareness about the importance of donating blood and to acknowledge the contribution of blood donors in saving lives. This day serves as a reminder of the critical need for safe blood and highlights the life-saving impact of blood donations.
The theme of World Blood Donor Day changes every year, but the main objective remains consistent: to encourage more people to donate blood voluntarily and regularly. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of safe blood donation practices to ensure the availability of an adequate supply of blood for those in need, particularly during emergencies and disasters.
World Blood Donor Day 2024
The 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day is an excellent and timely opportunity to thank blood donors across the world for their life-saving donations over the years and honor the profound impact on both patients and donors. It is also a timely moment to address continued challenges, and accelerate progress towards a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible.
The virtue of blood donation
Blood donation plays a crucial role in healthcare systems around the world. Blood transfusions are essential for treating various medical conditions, including severe injuries, surgeries, childbirth complications, and chronic illnesses such as cancer and anemia. Without an adequate supply of blood, medical professionals would struggle to provide life-saving treatments to patients in need.
One of the key messages of World Blood Donor Day is that every blood donation can save lives. A single donation of blood can help multiple patients, as blood can be separated into its various components, such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, which can be used to treat different conditions. By donating blood, individuals have the power to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of others in their communities.
Blood donation in Malaysia
Malaysia started our own blood donation (and transfusion) in early 1950, based on records of blood donors who donated their blood to the Blood Bank General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur in that year. In 1955, a blood bank was reportedly run by a British Red Cross volunteer. This service only operated once a week – on Wednesdays for only one and a half hours a day – harvesting 25 – 40 blood donors per week mostly from the army, police officers and government servants. This amount was said to be sufficient to meet the demand during that time. The blood collection kept increasing, and in 1971, the blood bank moved to another building within the Hospital Kuala Lumpur complex. Unknown to most, blood was carried to the far corners of the hospital by runners, usually house-officers. I was one of them.
Despite the importance of blood donation, many countries face challenges in maintaining an adequate and safe blood supply. Factors such as misconceptions about blood donation, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources can hinder blood donation efforts. World Blood Donor Day aims to address these challenges by raising awareness, promoting voluntary blood donation, and recognizing the contributions of blood donors.
What PMCare has been doing
PMCare coordinates with Blood Banks encouraging potential donors among our clients and the public to have blood donation campaigns. In recognition of World Blood Donor Day, PMCare held a blood donation drive on 12th June 2024 in collaboration with Pusat Darah Negara (National Blood Center). This internal event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and encourage Colleagues to participate in this life-saving act.
Our Colleagues stepped up to donate blood, demonstrating their solidarity and commitment to a healthy community. These donations could potentially save countless lives during medical emergencies, surgeries, and blood-related illnesses. We are incredibly proud of our Colleagues who participated in the drive. Their willingness to help not only showcases the spirit of PMCare but also contributes significantly to the well-being of the broader community.
What we can all do
As we celebrate World Blood Donor Day, let us remember the lifesaving impact of blood donation and the generosity of those who selflessly donate their blood to help others. By raising awareness about the importance of blood donation and encouraging more people to donate regularly, we can ensure that hospitals and healthcare facilities have a sufficient supply of safe blood to meet the needs of patients in our communities and beyond. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need and contribute to a healthier and more resilient society.
Reference:
Lopez C. G. (1983). The blood transfusion services in Malaysia. The Malaysian journal of pathology, 6, 1–7.