Organised by the World Health Organization today, 14th June, is World Blood Donor Day. We are being reminded by WHO that everyone can be a hero by giving blood and putting the needs of others above ourselves. Donated blood can be used in a number of ways, from supporting complex surgery, to managing problems during pregnancy.
An adequate supply of safe blood can only be 
guaranteed through regular blood donations and regulatory checks, often those people who give blood only to help family members or to earn money have blood-borne infections which exclude the blood from being used safely; indeed, in 62 countries the entire useable blood stock comes from voluntary blood donors.
All blood is screening for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis prior to transfusion, however, in many countries testing is not reliable due to poor quality testing kits and a lack of basic laboratory apparatus. Once donated and tested, the blood can be separated into different components to benefit those people who require only certain components of blood.
In the UK, celebrities such as Gary Lineker are encouraging people to roll their sleeves up and support the British National Blood Week. Around the world different countries are promoting blood donation in different ways and the host country, the Republic of Korea has broken the world record for having the largest human blood drop.
To find your nearest blood donation centre visit give blood.
