World Blood Donors Day - 2007
by Medindia Content Team onWorld Blood Donor Day
"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world"-William Shakespeare
14th of June is celebrated universally as the "World Blood Donor Day". It falls on the birthday of Karl LandSteiner, the Nobel Prize winner, who discovered the ABO blood group system.
About World Blood Donors Day
Following the success of the World Health Day 2000 with the theme 'Blood Saves Lives', 14th June is observed as the World Blood Donors Day. The date coincides with the birth date of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood group system.What Are Blood Groups?
Red blood cells or erythrocytes are present in the blood and contain certain proteins on their surface. These proteins are called antigens. The plasma which is the liquid part contains antibodies which will attack certain antigens if they are present. There are various types of red blood cell antigens - the ABO and Rhesus types are the most important. By the time a person is six months old, he naturally will have developed antibodies against the antigens his red blood cells lack.Who Can Donate Blood?
Many generous Indians nationwide have become involved in the blood donation campaign. Together with the help of Several NGO's these blood heroes are ensuring that the safest possible blood is readily available whenever and wherever needed. However, barely a fraction of those who can give do.Blood and blood products are very precious, and it is the responsibility of individuals to learn about who can be blood donor and who cannot.
Blood Group Calculator
The famous Austrian scientist Dr. Karl Landsteiner made the discovery of human blood groups in 1901 and divided blood group into four categories being A, B, AB, O. He came to win the Nobel Prize for his discovery.We have devised a calculator, which will give the probabilities for your child's blood group in just 3 simple steps.
