KATHMANDU: World Blood Donor Day is being observed in Nepal by organizing several public awareness programs today.

Countries around the world celebrate June 14 every year as World Blood Donor Day. On the occasion, several programs are being organized to raise public awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their live-saving gifts of blood.

This year world blood donor day is being celebrated with the theme “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often”.

The slogan underlines the role of every single person can play in saving human lives by donating blood and plasma to needy people.

It also highlights the significance of a sustainable and secure supply of blood and plasma through regular donation.

On the same occasion, various organizations and hospitals are organizing public sensitization, donor motivation and blood donation programs throughout the country today.

The Blood Donors Association Nepal has been organizing several programs on the occasion.

The Association has organized a weeklong sensitization program, including a bi-cycle rally, blood donor felicitation, orientation and art exhibition, its general-secretary Keshab Maharjan shared.

“Key challenge of the hour is unsmooth management of blood at hospitals and lack of a program to create incentives for blood donors”, he noted.

June 14 is celebrated as World Blood Donor Day every year coinciding with the birthday of scientist Dr Karl Landsteiner who discovered the group of human blood. The first blood donor day was observed in 2004.