World Blood Donor Month is celebrated in June and culminates in World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on Wednesday, the 14th. For those who did not know, June 14th was selected as WBDD in 2005 in honour of the birthday anniversary of Dr Karl Landsteiner, the Austrian born, American biologist, physician and immunologist, who in 1909 classified the ABO blood group system.
Today, one hundred and fourteen years later, this remains the most clinically significant blood group system and forms the basis of transfusion practice.
The slogan “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often” was executed through various WCBS awareness initiatives:
- WCBS hosted a special blood donation clinic at its headquarters on 14th June where staff could donate blood and receive a WCBS windscreen sunshade for their vehicle once they posted a picture of themselves donating.
- Forty-seven WCBS staff donned their super hero capes and joined myrun.org.za events in Groot Brak on Saturday, 24th June and another 10 locations in the Western Cape on Sunday, 25th June.
- Leveraging off our long-standing relationship, media partner and radio talk show host, Carl Wastie, who also happens to celebrate his birthday on WBDD, took to the airwaves to ask the public to donate blood. Thank you to Carl for helping us spread this life-saving message.
Last but certainly not least, a special thank you to the remarkable WCBS blood donors for every single donation of blood, plasma and platelets that goes toward saving and improving lives of patients in the communities we serve.
For more information about WBDD, contact Marike Carli, Manager – Public Relations (Marike@wcbs.org.za)
