EUROPEAN COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 13 June 2012
Public Health – World Blood Donor Day - Blood donors,
all heroes!
On World Blood Donor day, under this year's motto of “Every blood donor is a hero", the
European Commission stresses the importance of safe blood supplies and encourages all
European citizens to join the ranks of responsible voluntary donors. Today more than 500
million EU citizens depend on blood donated by less than 15 million donors. This is not
enough to meet the needs of all the Europeans who depend on blood to survive from an
emergency or to live with a chronic diseases that requires regular transfusions.
Commissioner Dalli said: " Blood is life. Each and every one of us may need blood to
recover from a major surgery or a severe accident. For many Europeans, with chronic
disease such as haemophilia or thalassaemia, blood is a constant necessity. Blood makes a
difference. This is why today, I wish to pay tribute to all donors and to invite Europeans to
show solidarity with those in need and donate blood. Become a donor, become a hero."
When it comes to blood, national health-care authorities continuously face two compelling
challenges: blood expiry date and blood supply shortages. Blood cannot be stored forever,
which requires a regular replenishing of supplies. In addition, as the population grows
older, demand for blood increases. This is closely related to a higher prevalence of agerelated diseases, such as cancers or hip fractures, whose treatments often lead to surgical
interventions, and hence the growing need for blood supplies.
EU legislation helps to ensure safety and quality of blood donations, both for donors and
for recipients. It sets eligibility criteria and helps donors make responsible decisions on
what is the right moment to give blood. It also requires all donated blood in the EU to be
tested and imposes quality requirements as to how professionals must handle collected or
donated blood.
IP/12/599
For more information:
EU legislation on blood:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/blood_tissues_organs/key_documents/index_en.htm
Contacts :
Frédéric Vincent (+32 2 298 71 66)
Aikaterini Apostola (+32 2 298 76 24)
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