World Blood Donor Day is coming up quickly on June 14th, 2012—that’s only two days away if you’re counting correctly. The theme of this year’s World Blood Donor Day campaign is “Every blood donor is a hero,” which is remarkably similar to our “Be Your Own Superhero” campaign. What can I say, superheros are popular nowadays. The point is, donating blood is an incredibly important thing to do. From the World Health Organization (WHO) website:

Every year, countries throughout every region of the world organize a huge variety of events and activities to celebrate the day, from football matches to free concerts, and from mobile blood donation clinics to monumental decorations.

WHO and partners have decided to focus the 2012 campaign on the idea that every one of us can become a hero simply by giving blood. The everyday hero responds to an immediate need, whatever the conditions, despite inconvenience, putting the needs of others above their own. Voluntary blood donors come from all walks of life, all regions, backgrounds, religions and ages. By choosing to donate blood without getting paid, these individuals commit an “heroic” act, a gesture of human solidarity with the power to save lives. Some of them do so dozens of times over several decades.

Did you know that 5 million patients in the US need blood every year? And that every 2 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion? By donating one pint of blood you can help save up to three lives. What’s more heroic than that? Right now, the American Red Cross is urging everyone to donate blood, as their four blood types have dropped to critical levels. The universal O-negative blood type is especially needed.

So what are you waiting for? The power is within you. Be someone else’s superhero and donate blood. It is very much needed.

Make and appointment now or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

To find local donation centers, visit redcrossblood.org/make-donation.
For more information, visit who.int/worldblooddonorday/en/.