Blood incessantly flows inside your body to supply life-giving red liquid to all parts of the body.

As it is indispensable to human life, there are so many proverbs and idioms relating to blood, including “Blood saves lives”, “at the cost of blood” and “Blood is thicker than water”.

Although modern medical sciences have witnessed remarkable progress so far, demands for blood are being met by relying solely on donation.

If blood donors increase in number and those who are in the jaws of death get a sufficient amount of blood at any time, their lives will be able to be saved.

Unfortunately, however, many countries are facing a variety of difficulties in blood transfusion service due to a lack of blood supply and problems of its quality and safety.

Voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation forms a foundation for securing of safe and a sufficient amount of blood.

Amid growing global concern about safe blood transfusion, the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Society of Blood Transfusion jointly commemorated World Blood Donor Day for the first time in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 14 2004.

June 14 is the birthday of a Nobel Prize winner who discovered ABO blood group for the first time in the world to make a great contribution that would be etched in the history of blood transfusion.

The celebration of the day is aimed at thanking voluntary blood donors, raising public awareness of the importance of blood donation and appealing for the donation so that larger numbers of people would make donation.

It is also aimed at encouraging blood donors to adopt a correct and healthier lifestyle.

The 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day in 2024 marked a momentous occasion to reflect on achievements, address challenges and envision a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible.

This year’s global campaign carries the slogan: “20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you, blood donors!”

Our country has celebrated World Blood Donor Day since 2007.

The celebration of the day held in Pyongyang and the provinces have been attended by health workers, members of the WHO country office and a delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, young and other voluntary donors and donees.

It is commonplace in the country that people from all walks of life, especially doctors and nurses, willingly donate their blood to save seriously ill patients.

If my blood saved a human life today, another person might save my life tomorrow.

Then, many others will follow suit to save the lives of our future generations.