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On June 14, we celebrate World Blood Donor Day. Blood donors save thousands of people around the world every day. Despite the enormous progress in medicine, we still cannot replace blood with anything, and we cannot obtain it artificially. Which blood type is the most popular in Poland and how is blood transfused?
We celebrate World Blood Donor Day every year on June 14. Due to the persistent large number of patients, and at the same time a decrease in the number of blood donors (some of them are afraid of coronavirus infection), PPOZ doctors appeal to all healthy people to continue sharing this priceless drug with the sick and suffering while maintaining the necessary safety rules.
– It is also worth considering plasma donation, which can help in the fight against the ongoing epidemic – says Bożena Janicka, president of the Alliance of Healthcare Employers.
On the occasion of the World Blood Donor Day, Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski thanked all those who support voluntary blood donation and share with those in need the priceless gift that is life-saving blood.
Why is World Blood Donor Day celebrated on June 14?
June 14 is the anniversary of the birth of the Austrian physician Karl Landsteiner – pathologist and immunologist, Nobel Prize winner and discoverer of the blood group system.
In 1901, he discovered that red blood cells contain two antigens that condition the phenomenon of agglutination (clumping of blood cells) in contact with blood cells with a different antigenic structure. On the basis of these observations, Landsteiner distinguished three blood groups, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. This has allowed the development of transfusion medicine and the foundations of safe blood transfusion. In 1940, Landsteiner was also a co-discoverer of the Rh factor.
On the anniversary of Landsteiner’s birth – June 14 – the Blood Donor Day has been celebrated all over the world since 2004. Its idea is to popularize voluntary blood donation, and above all to increase the amount of blood obtained, which – unfortunately – is still lacking.
This year’s special World Blood Donor Day
This year, World Blood Donor Day has a unique meaning. Blood donation centers have launched special departure points, guaranteeing honorary donors full safety. However, there are certain conditions that everyone willing must meet.
Blood is a drug that cannot be replaced by any other. Transfusion saves lives, therefore we appeal to honorary blood donors not to give up blood donation despite the prevailing epidemic. Let’s remember one more thing. Holidays are coming. Experience shows that accidents and injuries are more common at this time. You are healthy, share the gift of life! You will definitely save someone!
Blood can be donated by an adult and healthy person who is under 65, has not recently been abroad, has not had contact with a person suffering from COVID-19 or under quarantine (other conditions are the same as before the epidemic).