Today June 14, is the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). It aims to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and is also an occasion to acknowledge blood donors for their life-saving noble act.
Undoubtedly, the significance of blood donation for the health sector is immense as the range of its uses is much more diverse than anyone can think. From plasma treatments to research and emergency uses, donating blood has been a crucial cornerstone that aids humanity at crucial times.
History of WBDD
WBDD was established in 2004 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to bring awareness to the ongoing need for blood donations to save lives. Interestingly, June 14 also marks the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1930 for his work in classifying blood types and blood transfusions.
This year's theme is "Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives", which focuses on the urgency to increase the number of donors. On the occasion of WBDD, we caught up with Kiwi Indian Shashi Srivastava, who has made 154 blood donations so far.
“Blood donation is the least one can do for society”
Talking about his blood donation journey, the 66-year-old Dannemora resident says, “I started donating blood since I was 18 and have made 154 donations (80 blood donations and 74 Plasma donations) till I was 63. I can no longer donate blood since I started taking insulin for my diabetes after that.”
Srivastava has donated blood in India, South Africa and New Zealand. He made his first blood donation as a student at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. He says, “I didn't have money to help the needy nor could offer physical help every time. So I thought blood donation was my way of doing my bit for society. Every time I donate blood, I feel good and happy with myself. It gave me immense satisfaction. I get blessings from so many people who could use my blood in any form.”
Srivastava wants to encourage everyone to donate blood as he says, "It is the least you can do to help the society. It is hundred per cent safe, and no one should hesitate to donate blood.”
Moving on, we spoke to Asuka Burge, National Manager Marketing and Communications at New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), to learn more about the day, blood donations in NZ and the impact of Covid on the same, among others.
“One blood donation takes an hour and can save up to three lives”
About the significance of WBDD Burge says, “This year, World Blood Donor Day falls within the first-ever National Blood Donor Week (June 13-19) to be held in NZ. It is an opportunity for NZBS to acknowledge and thank our 110,000 unremunerated blood, plasma, and platelet donors across Aotearoa. Their selfless generosity helps save the lives of 29,000 Kiwis each year. It’s also a chance to encourage those who have never donated before to roll up their sleeves and join our whanau of lifesavers.”
Currently, less than four percent of the eligible population in NZ donates blood. According to Burge, there is a need for 38,000 new donors in the next 12 months to keep pace with the increasing demand for blood and blood products, as every day, 83 Kiwis will need life-saving blood or plasma donation due to an unforeseen emergency.
The last two years have seen the world grappling with the Covid-19 Pandemic, so has that impacted blood donations in NZ?
"We’re seeing an increase in cancellations and no-shows due to donors either having Covid-19 or being a household contact of someone who has Covid-19. And with flu season and winter now upon us, we expect to see more cancellations and no-shows. It's important to remember that blood only lasts 35 days. That's why we're asking donors in good health to book or keep their appointment during the winter months to ensure we can meet our collection targets. If people cannot keep their scheduled appointments for whatever reason, we'd appreciate it if they could let us know ahead of time.”
Burge says all blood types are greatly needed, although there is always more demand for A and O blood groups, given that 80 percent of the NZ population has those blood types. “One blood donation takes an hour and can save up to three lives. Please don't wait to save a life,” signs off Burge.
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