World Blood Donor Day
History
The World Health Organisation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies initiated World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) in 2004. It takes place on June 14 each year and provides an opportunity for a united, national and global celebration on a day that has particular significance; the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who discovered the ABO blood group system.
World Blood Donor Day 2011 – Blood Donors Save the Day
The theme ‘Blood Donors Save the Day’ recognises the generous blood donors who help ‘save the day’ for the more than 42,000 New Zealanders who will need blood and blood products every year.
It is also a request for eligible New Zealanders to choose just one special day in the year ahead to commit to making a blood donation and ‘save the day’ for a fellow Kiwi in need. Messaging has been specially formulated to encourage registration and appointments.
New Zealand Blood Service will be celebrating World Blood Donor Day on Tuesday 14th June 2011 in each of its 11 Donor Centres around the country.
