World Blood Donor Day today

The World Blood Donation Day is being observed today (Wednesday) across the country with elaborate programs like any other place of the world.

To observe the day in a befitting manner, along with the government, Quantum Foundation has chalked out elaborate programmes marking the day including marching of blood donors, blood camp and blood donor awards ceremony.

Donating blood can help reduce excess iron levels in the blood thereby preventing hemochromatosis, a condition which can increase risk of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack and stroke.

World Blood Donar Day is observed annually on June 14. The day was first recognised in 2004 by four international organizations including World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (IFBDO) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).

The idea was to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products, and to express gratitude for blood donors for their voluntary and life-saving gift.