By Habibu Ali Inuwa Kwaru
June 14, 2025 – Today marks World Blood Donor Day, an annual global event dedicated to raising awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank voluntary donors for their life-saving gift.
READ ALSO: Blood Comission advises more Nigerians to donate blood
Each year, millions of lives around the world are saved by the simple yet powerful act of blood donation. As a registered nurse, I witness firsthand the crucial role that blood donors play in saving lives and restoring hope.
This year’s theme, “20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors!”, reminds us that behind every recovered patient is someone—a volunteer donor—who chose to give blood selflessly.
WHY BLOOD DONATION MATTERS
Blood is essential for survival. It is needed in childbirth, surgeries, accidents, and the treatment of life-threatening conditions such as cancer, severe anemia, and sickle cell disease. However, many patients die every day because blood is not available when they need it most.
Unlike medicine or equipment, blood cannot be manufactured; it can only come from healthy human donors. Yet, in many countries—including ours—donated blood is often in short supply.
Just one pint of donated blood can save up to three lives, as it can be separated into red cells, plasma, and platelets. Each of these components serves a different medical purpose.
A PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY
Voluntary blood donation is not just a medical matter—it is a social responsibility. It means being there for someone in a moment of desperate need. Whether it is a mother in labor, a child fighting cancer, or a victim of a road accident, having access to safe blood often makes the difference between life and death.
Health authorities estimate that if just 1% of the population donates blood regularly, the country’s blood needs can be met. Sadly, far fewer people donate, often due to myths or misinformation.
COMMON MYTHS VS. MEDICAL FACTS
Myth: Donating blood makes you weak.
Fact: The body replaces the lost fluids within 24–48 hours. Most donors feel normal soon after.
Myth: You can catch infections when donating.
Fact: All equipment is sterile and used only once. Donation is completely safe.
Myth: Blood is only needed in emergencies.
Fact: Thousands of people with chronic illnesses or conditions rely on regular transfusions.
WHO CAN DONATE BLOOD?
Most healthy adults between 18 and 65 years old, weighing at least 50kg, can donate blood. Donors are carefully screened to ensure they are healthy and eligible before each donation. The entire process is supervised by trained medical personnel and usually takes no more than 20 minutes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a person can safely donate whole blood every 12 weeks for men and every 16 weeks for women, depending on national guidelines. The WHO also emphasizes that regular voluntary, unpaid blood donations are the cornerstone of a safe and sustainable blood supply globally.
(Source: WHO Blood Safety and Availability Fact Sheet)
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Visit the nearest blood donation center, hospital, or mobile blood drive.
Encourage family, friends, and colleagues to join you.
Share this message online to raise awareness.
Remember: you don’t have to be a doctor to save lives. With one simple act of kindness, you can be someone’s hero.
A NOTE OF GRATITUDE
To all the men and women who have voluntarily donated blood: thank you. Your donation may have gone unnoticed to the world, but to the patients you helped, you gave them something priceless—another chance at life.
On this World Blood Donor Day, let us come together to support a culture of regular, voluntary blood donation. Because the life you save tomorrow may be someone you love.
Let today be the day you decide to give the gift of life.
Habibu Ali Inuwa Kwaru, RN, BNSc
Registered Nurse and Health Advocate
[email protected]
