Geneva, Switzerland – The World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting the indispensable role of blood in healthcare systems worldwide, noting that a single unit of safe blood has the potential to save up to three lives. Blood donations are vital in emergencies, surgical procedures, cancer treatment, trauma care, and childbirth, serving as a critical “gift of hope” for patients requiring transfusions.
Despite its life-saving importance, the WHO points out a significant disparity in access, with many countries facing chronic shortages of safe blood, particularly impacting children and mothers. As blood cannot be stored indefinitely, there is a continuous and pressing need for regular, voluntary, and unpaid donations to maintain adequate supplies. The entire donation process is described as safe, quick, and rewarding, typically taking only about an hour, yet its impact can last a lifetime.
For those considering donating blood, the WHO outlines key eligibility criteria. Most healthy adults between 18 and 65 years old, weighing at least 50 kg, are generally eligible. Donors must feel well and not be sick on the day of donation, and their blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin levels will be checked prior to the procedure to ensure their suitability.
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