World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14th in honour of the birthday of Dr Karl Landsteiner, the Austrian doctor credited with systematizing blood groups. Since 2005, this significant day has been established by the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Its purpose is to promote awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products, inspire more individuals to become regular unpaid donors and express gratitude to voluntary blood donors for their selflessness and life-saving contributions, which play a pivotal role in strengthening social solidarity. 

The global need for blood 

Blood transfusions play a vital role in healthcare systems around the world. People with severe injuries, patients undergoing surgeries, cancer patients, or people with chronic illnesses and blood disorders rely on blood transfusions to survive. However, the demand for blood is often greater than the supply, leading to shortages in many countries. World Blood Day aims to address this problem by promoting blood donation as the ultimate humanitarian act, an act that can save countless lives in both normal and emergency situations. 

The importance of blood donation at ALUMIL  

Recognising the significance of blood donation, our company has actively participated in blood donation efforts in the Industrial Area of Kilkis, in collaboration with the General Hospital, for almost a decade. In 2022, we took a step further by establishing our own blood bank and conducting regular voluntary blood donations at our facilities in Kilkis and Thessaloniki, strictly adhering to the appropriate protocols for safe blood donation, storage, and transportation. This year, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we successfully collected 29 units of blood. Through internal information and awareness campaigns, we strive to increase the number of blood donors within our organisation, empowering them to offer the life-saving gift of blood to colleagues, relatives, friends, acquaintances, and those in need. 

“Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often” 

On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day and this year's campaign by the WHO, with the motto "Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often," we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the Alumilers who consistently donate blood. Motivated by a sense of altruism and social solidarity, they play a crucial role in giving the most valuable gift of all: life. We hope our community's dedication will inspire more individuals in good health to become new blood donors, enabling us to provide the precious gift of life to those in need.