In our blood donor corner, you can learn about World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) celebrations, find out about changes to several donor deferral criteria, and how to listen to The Life Blood Podcast #2: Why Does the Blood Service Sometimes Turn People Away?
The commemorative theme of WBDD on 14 June this year was “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors!”. WCBS wishes to thank our donors for their commitment to blood donation and the many lives they have helped save – you are truly remarkable!
The 14th of June marks the birthday of Dr Karl Landsteiner who received a Nobel Prize in 1930 for his discovery of the ABO blood group system. He later discovered the Rh blood group system in the 1940s, so is regarded as one of the most important figures in transfusion medicine history. WBDD is therefore appropriately celebrated on his birthday each year.
Blood donors who donated a unit of blood during World Blood Donor Month this year were gifted with a uniquely designed pair of hero inspired socks, symbolising the warmth and comfort donors provide to patients in need. On WBDD itself, blood donors were treated to cupcakes to celebrate 20 years of WBDD.
During the month of June, the WCBS Clinical Governance Committee approved several updates to WCBS donor deferral criteria, namely:
• Donors using benzodiazepine medication no longer have a deferral period of two weeks.
• The 24-hour deferral period for cannabis use has been lifted (provided the donor is not acutely intoxicated at the time of donation).
• Donors who have had specific types of cancer where a five-year deferral is applicable no longer need to provide WCBS with a letter from their doctor confirming the type of cancer and treatment completion date. A verbal account from the donor will suffice unless they are unsure of the diagnosis.
To find out more about why donors are deferred from donating blood, take a listen to The Life Blood Podcast #2 on Spotify or YouTube titled “Why Does the Blood Service Sometimes Turn Donors Away?”. Here Dr Caroline Hilton, Lead Medical Consultant, shares valuable information about donor deferral criteria including how often and why donors are turned away, and how the deferral criteria are selected. We hope that this episode will improve your understanding about how WCBS prioritises donor and patient safety when collecting blood.
For more information about donor deferrals, contact Dr Caroline Hilton, Lead Medical Consultant (caroline@wcbs.org.za).
