World Blood Donor Day 2021: Raising Awareness and Encouraging Donations

World Blood Donor Day is a significant event aimed at highlighting the importance of voluntary blood donation. Sadly, it's an aspect of healthcare that often goes unnoticed, much like when I first heard about it. I believe better marketing and awareness campaigns are crucial to get more people involved.

A Personal Story

Unfortunately, I'm not eligible to donate blood due to a hereditary non-alcoholic liver disorder. This means that while I can't give blood, I can still raise awareness and encourage others to contribute.

I have scheduled to donate blood on June 25th, 2021. This date is significant as it marks the earliest I can give blood after my previous donation. I had no idea there was even a World Blood Donor Day until recently, which speaks to the need for better marketing and awareness campaigns.

The Importance of Blood Donation

Every drop of blood donated can save lives. It is essential to prove that humanity has a responsibility to help each other. Human beings can save lives and contribute to the betterment of humanity. No other form of happiness can come close to the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a difference in someone's life through a simple act of giving blood.

Making a Difference

On this day, I’m committed to making a difference. I will focus on raising awareness and encouraging others to donate blood. Here are some steps I plan to take:

Chill Out with Weed

Relaxing with a bit of weed can be a good way to destress. While I'm taking it easy on the day, I'll also use this time to connect with friends and family and remind them about the importance of donating blood.

Community Outreach

I've realized the need to organize a small campaign to get the pharmacists in my borough to sign up for a general recruiting poster in their windows. This approach usually works better as the pharmacy owner does not do ‘community’ notices. In such cases, the owner is more likely to give in to such requests.

Additionally, I will reach out to the borough’s Cabinet Lead on ‘Adults Health and Wellbeing’ and request that the council commit to having WBDD on their website banner next year. While the NHSBT does not prominently feature blood donation on their website front page, the Twitter handle @GiveBlood serves as a reliable source for blood donation reminders and important updates, such as new eligibility rules.

New Eligibility Rules

A recent ruling has brought about significant changes in the eligibility for blood donation. The new eligibility rules will now allow more men who have sex with men to donate blood platelets and plasma, marking a historic move towards increasing inclusivity while maintaining the safety of the blood supply.

This move should also mean that stories like the one mentioned are no longer in the news, which is an embarrassment for those urging others to donate. It’s a step in the right direction and a testament to the progress being made in the field of blood donation.

Happy Donating

Happy donating to those organized individuals and the unaware who are busy donating blood today. Let’s come together and make a difference in the lives of those in need. Every drop counts!