From the Blood Connection

Friday, June 14 is World Blood Donor Day 2019, and this year’s campaign recognizes the need for safe blood for all. The Blood Connection is joining organizations in the U.S. and around the world to acknowledge the constant need and to celebrate blood donors who are committed to saving lives.

“We want our blood donors to feel as special as they are for saving lives every day through their generous blood donations,” said TBC President and CEO, Delisa English. “We also hope to inspire more people throughout the community to donate blood regularly and often.”

Safe blood for all is the theme for this year’s WBDD campaign. TBC believes that health is a human right and everyone in the world should have access to safe blood transfusions when and where they need them. The need for blood products is universal, but access to safe blood and blood products varies greatly across and within countries. TBC says it starts with donating local.

There will be a The Blood Connection Blood Drive at Lowes Home Improvement in Washington on Friday, from noon to 4 p.m.

In the spirit of continuing the celebration, TBC is also celebrating Taco Tuesday every week June through August. When donors give blood at any TBC center or mobile drive on a Tuesday, they will receive a special Taco Tuesday t-shirt and taco gift card, while supplies last.

Sponsored by the World Health Organization, World Blood Donor Day celebrations bring an opportunity to celebrate all blood donors on a local, national, and global level as well as to commemorate the birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, a Nobel Prize winner credited for distinguishing the main blood groups in 1900.

Blood transfusions help save millions of lives every year around the world. Here in eastern North Carolina, they help local patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer with a higher quality of life. Blood also has an essential, life saving role in maternal and perinatal care, as well as people with traumatic injuries and patients undergoing surgical procedures. An adequate blood supply can only be assured through regular donations by voluntary blood donors.

Donors can go to thebloodconnection.org to find a blood drive or call (984) 222-1100. Blood donors must be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be 17 years old or 16 with written parental consent. To ensure that hospital needs for blood are uninterrupted, TBC is requesting all blood types.