World Blood Donor Day is celebrated June 14th every year. It is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who donate their blood in order to save lives, without expecting anything in return.
The 2010 global campaign focuses on Young Donors, with the slogan "New blood for the world". It hopes that a new generation of idealistic and motivated voluntary unpaid blood donors will form a pool that provides the safest blood possible for use wherever and whenever it is needed to save life. In events and activities around the world, youth will be the focus of the day.
Recruiting and retaining young donors not only improves the long-term safety and sufficiency of a country’s blood supply, but also promotes safe and healthy lifestyles. Young people unable to donate for any reason can volunteer their service as advocates. With young people playing such a valuable role in helping to secure a safe and adequate blood supply, World Blood Donor Day is a good opportunity for governments, policymakers and blood programmes to thank them.
The 2010 global launch event will take place in Barcelona, Spain, hosted by the Spanish and Catalonian Health Care Authorities, the Spanish and Catalonian donor associations and the Spanish Red Cross.
