Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Head Nurse Türkan Şahin stated that the 14th of June is celebrated as “World Blood Donor Day” all around the world which is also the birthday of Karl Landsteiner who discovered the AB0 blood types by organisations which organise blood donation campaigns such as International Red Crescent and Red Cross Federations, International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (FIODS), International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and made an announcement for the occasion of this day. Türkan Şahin noted the following:

“The aim of World Blood Donor Day is to emphasise the importance of being human and appreciation of the human being, to celebrate and honour blood donors who donate blood voluntarily but most importantly to raise public awareness about blood donation.

One in there people in the world will need blood at least once in their lifetime. Especially in small communities like ours, it is important to have voluntary blood donors because this is the only source of safe blood in our country. Blood is more important for patients with traumatic injury or in need of surgery and also for those with blood related diseases such as thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia in order to carry on with their daily lives.

Only human body can produce blood. This is why blood donation is a very important and effective method to save lives. Anybody between the ages of 18-65, who is over 50 kilograms or does not have any major health problem can donate blood.

No patient should struggle due to a shortage of blood and blood products. The most viable way of obtaining blood is through voluntary, unconditional and regular blood donations from others.

You too can donate blood and save “lives”.