What is World Blood Donor Day?
The World Blood Donor Day started in 2004, it was then inducted as an annual global event by the fifty-eighth World Health Assembly in 2005. World Blood Donor Day is now celebrated each year throughout the world on June 14. For 2021, the World Blood Donor Day slogan will be “Give blood and keep the world beating”.
What is the aim of World Blood Donor Day?
To promote the need for safe blood that is used for transfusion.
To recognize the contribution of voluntary, unpaid blood donors for providing a critical contribution to the national health system.
To encourage the youth to donate blood and inspire others to do the same.
What are the requirements to donate blood?
The basic requirement of a potential blood donor:
You are aged between 18 and 65.
Weight: At least 110 lbs (50 kg).
You must be in good health at the time you donate your blood.
Where can I donate my blood?
Mengly J. Quach foundation.
You can join the Mengly J. Quach Blood Banking Project in Cambodia. Kindly visit https://www.mjqfoundation.org for more details
2. National Blood Transfusion Center in Cambodia
3. Red Cross
I would like you to be a part of this World Blood Donor Day. Share your thoughts and experiences to promote, recognize and encourage people to be blood donors and keep the world beating.
I would like to end this article by sharing my experience as a voluntary blood donor. My first blood donation was on March 30, 2012, and it all started when I was asked to join a seminar about blood donation hosted by a representative of the Red Cross. After the seminar, I decided to take the free blood test and I found out that my blood type is O negative, a rare blood type that is useful in emergency or surgery. I felt nervous on my first blood donation but it also brought out the spirit of humanitarian in me. I will never forget the experience I had when I donated my blood for the third time. I got a call from a colleague because he had a friend that was in need of a blood donor. The blood type they needed is type O negative. I went to the hospital, donated my blood, and when I was about to go home a man approached me. He introduced himself as the husband of the recipient of my blood. He invited me to meet his wife because she would like to thank me too. When I saw the recipient who was suffering from acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) and how much effort she tried to smile and say thank you, I felt pity but when they shared their struggle in finding a blood donor to the point that they almost gave up. It was at that moment when I realized the value of my existence. I went home thankful for the opportunity to give hope when someone needs it the most.
-by Royd Guyon