World Blood Day to be first observed on 14 June, UN health organization says

A worldwide campaign to increase the number of volunteers who regularly donate safe blood will be launched next month in Johannesburg, South Africa, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said today.

"Any shortage of blood has a particular impact on children with severe life-threatening anaemia caused by malaria and malnutrition, trauma victims and women with complications of pregnancy. Unsafe blood can transmit HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, Chagas disease and malaria," WHO said.

South Africa's national blood service has achieved 100 per cent voluntary blood donation, with a very low rate of HIV infection among its donors, WHO noted. On a day of entertainment there and around the world, South Africans will salute young regular blood donors called Club 25.

World Blood Day events on 14 June are being planned by local organizations, with the collaboration of WHO, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.