World Blood Donor Day 2023

The theme for this year’s World Blood Donor Day 2023 focuses on people who require life-long transfusions and highlights that every single person can play a part in giving the priceless gift of blood or plasma. It’s important that people give blood and plasma regularly so there is a sustainable and safe supply that’s always available all over the world.

I know first-hand the importance of blood donations. I have the kindness of strangers who donated to thank for saving my life whilst I battled illness and there are many others who have similar stories to mine. Just one donation can save up to three lives.

Whether you are A, B, AB or O, people need your blood. Some blood types are in higher demand than others and are needed more regularly, but every donation makes a difference.

O positive is the most common blood type. Around 35% of blood donors have this blood type – that’s 1 in 3 blood donors.

O negative donors make up 13% (of the donor base and are often called the ‘universal donor’ because their blood can be given to people of any blood type in an emergency.

Around 30% of blood donors have A positive blood.

1 in 13 blood donors is A negative.

Only 8% of donors are B positive.

2 per cent of donors are B negative, making it one of the rarest blood types.

1 in 50 blood donors is AB positive, making it very rare.

AB negative is the rarest of the 8 main blood groups accounting for only 1 per cent of blood donors.

Not sure which blood group you are? You’ll find out your blood type after your first donation!

Follow the link to read more about the donation process and check if you can donate.