Millions of people are alive today because they received the blood
given by another person. June 14 is World Blood Donor Day. This is
the day on which we can say thank you to those who give blood.
Every country raises awareness of the importance of giving blood.
Most blood donors give blood voluntarily, but some countries pay
for people to give blood. Doctors say the blood from unpaid donors
is generally safer. The blood donation system is pretty much the
same all around the world. You give blood and then get a free cup
of tea, and perhaps a biscuit. There is a greater need for blood in
developing countries. Under 40% of the world’s blood supply comes
from the developing world, where 82% of the world’s population
live.
Blood is, of course, the red liquid that makes some of us faint when
we see it. It delivers oxygen and vital nutrients, such as glucose,
amino acids, and fatty acids, to our body's cells. It also carries away
waste products, like carbon dioxide, from our cells to keep our body
clean. Seven per cent of our body weight is blood. The average
adult has about five litres of blood. Our heart pumps blood around
our body at high speed. It travels through a system of arteries and
veins, that reach every part of our body. Our blood is made up of
red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. When we cut
ourselves, it is the job of platelets to clot the blood to stop us
bleeding. We all have one of four different blood types. If we are
given a different blood type, we’ll die.
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World Health Organization (WHO) selected 14 June as the day to dedicate to hundreds of thousands of people who helped others by making better and/or saving their lives by blood donation.
WHO has highlighted this day to remind and to cause to think on the benefits of blood donation and reducing blood shortages in clinics and hospitals particularly in developing countries where blood shortage is sometimes to be faced.
Statistics tell us that 79 out of 80 countries, with low blood donation rates, belong to developing nations.
On this day, main focus is on motivating people to become blood donors. It explains and represents how policy makers and health systems can work to make blood transfusion accessible and safe to the people globally.
WHO and other related organizations and institutions are encouraging people and communities throughout the world to join the World Blood Donor Day (on 14 June,) 2011 campaign and “Paint the world red” which may be in the form of red coloured theme, red coloured lights or forming a “human blood drop” in prominent public places.
The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2011 is “More blood. More Life”.The ABO blood group system was discovered by Karl Land Steiner in 1901.
Red blood cells or erythrocytes are present in the blood and contain certain proteins on their surface. These proteins are called antigens. The plasma which is the liquid part contains antibodies which will attack certain antigens if they are present. There are various types of red blood cell antigens - the ABO and rhesus types are the most important. By the time a person is six months old, he naturally will have developed antibodies against the antigens his red blood cells lack.
ABO Blood Group System
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Red blood cells or erythrocytes are present in the blood and contain certain proteins on their surface. These proteins are called antigens. The plasma which is the liquid part contains antibodies which will attack certain antigens if they are present. There are various types of red blood cell antigens - the ABO and rhesus types are the most important. By the time a person is six months old, he naturally will have developed antibodies against the antigens his red blood cells lack.
A blood group individuals will have type A antigens on the surface of red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in plasma. There are about 20 different subgroups of which A1 and A2 subtypes are the most common.
B blood group individuals will have type B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in your plasma.
AB blood group are those who will have type A and type B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and no antibodies to A or B antigens in plasma.
O Blood group are those who will have neither type A or type B antigens on the surface of red blood cells but will have anti-A and anti-B antibodies in plasma.
B blood group individuals will have type B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in your plasma.
AB blood group are those who will have type A and type B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and no antibodies to A or B antigens in plasma.
O Blood group are those who will have neither type A or type B antigens on the surface of red blood cells but will have anti-A and anti-B antibodies in plasma.
