Blood donation can also come with its own set of benefits for donors. Blood donation can help reduce excess iron levels in the blood thereby preventing hemochromatosis, a condition which can increase risk of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack and stroke. This can help with early detection of certain health conditions, such as anaemia or infectious diseases, which may otherwise go unnoticed.

The slogan or theme of the World Blood Donor Day 2023 is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.” The theme highlights the importance of giving blood or blood plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can be always available, all over the world, so that all patients in need can receive timely life saving treatment.

The history of blood donation goes far back to ancient times. In written history, English physician Richard Lower is most remembered for his pioneering work on blood transfusion and the function of the cardiopulmonary system, which he described in his book ‘Tractatus de Corde’. He was the first one to examine the science of blood donation with animals and he managed to successfully transfuse blood between two dogs with no appreciable ill effects.