Today (14 June) is World Blood Donor Day
It is celebrated on the birthday of Karl Landsteiner (1868–1943), an Austrian biologist and physician, considered to be the “founder” of modern blood transfusion.
Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood groups in 1901, developed the modern system of classification of blood groups, and identified, in 1937, together with Alexander S. Wiener, the Rhesus factor, thus enabling physicians to transfuse blood without endangering a patient’s life.
This year marks the 20th year of World Blood Donor Day (WBDD), after it was first organised in 2004, by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.
The WBDD theme this year is ‘celebrating 20 years of giving: thank you blood donors!’
The national event in Sri Lanka for World Blood Donor Day commenced this morning (14 June) at the Nelum Pokuna, where the Rakthaa app will be launched. The felicitation of a 1000 regular blood donors will also take place. The launch of a blood stem cell donation registry will also take place today.
The felicitation of a further 3000 blood donors will be held simultaneously at blood bank branches islandwide.
In Sri Lanka, 100% of the annual blood donor requirement is fulfilled by Sri Lankan donors.
