Each year on 14 June, the world pauses to celebrate one of humanity’s quietest yet most generous acts, donating blood. On World Blood Donor Day, Sri Lanka joins the global community in recognising the individuals who, without expecting anything in return, donate their blood to help save lives. But this isn’t just a thank you. It’s also a reminder: The need for safe, voluntary blood donations is as urgent as ever.

This year’s theme, ‘Hope flows through every drop,’ perfectly captures what makes this act extraordinary. Whether it’s a young mother recovering from childbirth, a dengue patient battling complications, or a child needing surgery, blood is often the difference between despair and recovery.

‘You don't expect to need it, until you do’

For Ashini Wijetunga, a 32-year-old school administrator, blood was the last thing on her mind as she went in for a routine caesarean section during her second pregnancy.

“It was supposed to be straightforward. But during the procedure, I lost more blood than expected,” she recalled. “I was groggy, scared, and suddenly, doctors were talking about transfusions.”

She received two units of red cells before being stabilised. “I didn’t even realise how close it was until after. I came home to a healthy baby and my older daughter, but it’s only possible because that blood was there, ready.”

In Sri Lanka, maternal complications, particularly during or after delivery, are among the more common reasons for blood transfusions. While these aren’t always life-threatening, having access to safe and timely blood is critical in ensuring recovery.

“Pregnancy-related transfusions may not make headlines, but they’re part of daily hospital life,” said Sri Lanka College of Transfusion Physicians President Dr. Dhammika Seneviratne. “That’s what makes regular donations so vital, it allows for a steady, responsive system.”

Dengue, surgery, and everyday emergencies

Not all transfusion stories are connected to dramatic trauma or rare diseases. For Azad Sheriff, it was a case of severe dengue that landed him in a hospital bed, and in need of blood.

“My platelets were dropping fast, and I was becoming too weak to sit up,” Azad said. “The doctors said I was close to needing ICU care. I ended up getting a platelet transfusion and a unit of whole blood over the next two days.”

Though dengue is a familiar illness in Sri Lanka, the risk of complications like internal bleeding or critically low platelet counts can turn a routine case into a medical emergency. In Azad’s case, timely access to blood helped him recover within a week.

“There’s this idea that you only need blood if you’ve had an accident or a major illness,” he said. “But something as ‘normal’ as dengue? That changes your perspective.”

What the stats say

According to the Sri Lanka National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) 2023 report, approximately 466,061 units of blood were collected across the island that year. Of this, around 89% came from mobile donation campaigns, reaffirming how important community outreach continues to be.

“There’s a lot of strength in our system. It’s largely voluntary, and that’s something to be proud of,” noted Dr. Seneviratne. “But we can’t ignore the fact that donations have plateaued, and in some areas, like Colombo, we even saw slight declines.”

She added that regions such as Anuradhapura and Hambantota recorded encouraging growth, balancing the island-wide totals. But maintaining a consistent supply, not just during school or religious drives, is essential.

“It’s not just about hitting a number. It’s about making sure that when a patient needs blood, it’s already there.”

Who’s donating?

The 2023 data paints an interesting picture of Sri Lanka’s donor base:

• 71% of donors were male, while 29% were female
• About 32% were first-time donors, while the rest were repeat contributors
• The most active age group was 26-35 (33%), followed closely by 36-45 (32%)

“There’s still room to grow among women and older adults,” said Dr. Seneviratne. “A lot of people assume they’re not eligible, but many are. We need to challenge those myths.”

The most common blood group was O (44.6%), followed by B, A, and AB, aligning with previous years. And while 94% of donors were Rh-positive, the small percentage who were Rh-negative are especially important, given how rare their blood type is in the general population.

What happens after donation?

Once blood is collected, it doesn’t go straight to the patient. It is screened for infections, separated into components – red cells, platelets, plasma – and distributed to hospitals where it can be used based on the patient’s condition.

“Component preparation is now the norm,” Dr. Seneviratne explained. “One unit of donated blood can help three different patients, which is incredibly efficient.”

She also pointed to quality improvements, like early adoption of nucleic acid testing (NAT), which helps reduce infection risks. The discard rates, i.e., units not used due to safety or storage issues, have remained within a healthy 4-7% range in recent years.

“From collection to transfusion, it’s a tightly managed process,” she said. “That level of care gives patients confidence and donors peace of mind.”

Still, the gaps remain

Despite a strong foundation, challenges persist. Sri Lanka needs approximately 1,100 blood donations per day to meet national demand, a target that’s not always consistently met.

“We saw a dip during the pandemic, and while donations are coming back, there’s still hesitancy,” said Dr. Seneviratne. “People worry about feeling weak or taking time off work. But in truth, most healthy adults recover quickly after donating.”

Even timing matters. Fewer people donate during exam seasons, holidays, or during adverse weather. Yet emergencies don’t wait.

“We can’t predict who will need blood next,” she says. “But we can make sure it’s there, if more people make donation a regular habit, not a one-time act.”

So, what can you do?

World Blood Donor Day is more than a campaign – it’s a call to action. If you’re healthy, between the ages of 18 and 60, and meet basic eligibility, you can donate.

• Men can give blood every three months
• Women can donate every four months
• It takes about 30-45 minutes, and you’ll be back on your feet the same day

You can also help by encouraging friends or family to donate, hosting a mobile blood drive through your workplace or community, or simply sharing accurate information online to combat common misconceptions.

For Ashini, Azad, and thousands like them, blood isn’t just a medical product, it’s a gesture of trust from a stranger. It’s what allowed Ashini to return home to her newborn. It’s what let Azad walk out of the hospital without complications.

“I don’t know who donated that blood,” Ashini said, “but whoever they are, I hope they know what a difference they made.”

On World Blood Donor Day, that’s what we celebrate. Not just the units collected or the numbers reported, but the lives quietly saved.