The National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is observed in India on October 1 every year. The day intends to highlight the need and importance of safe blood in the life of an individual. It is organised by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) and National AIDS Control Organisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India.
Transferring or donating blood or parts of it to the needy has become an integral part of humanity in the modern health care system. It doesn’t matter who the bloodline or receiver is. To highlight the need to commit and donate blood throughout the year. It is very important to maintain adequate supplies and achieve universal and timely access.
Why National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is observed on October 1?
1st October is celebrated as the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day in India to recognise and commemorate the immense contribution made by Dr Jai Gopal Jolly on his birthday.Dr JG Jolly was the founder of the Blood Bank Society, Chandigarh, founder President of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology and made significant contributions to the development of Blood programme in India. As a result of his contributions, he represented India in numerous International Delegations as well as scientific conferences.
During the course of these visits he got the opportunity of studying the blood transfusion programme in different parts of the world for revamping the organisational set up in India.
As a result of his innumerable contributions in this field, Dr Jolly is recognised as the leader of blood banking in India. Among the numerous distinctions conferred on Dr Jolly are the JG Mukherjee gold medal by the Lucknow University for distinguished research contribution (1958), Dr BC Roy National Award for the development of the speciality of Blood Transfusion in India (1981), Philip Levine Memorial Award for national contributions in Transfusion Medicine (1993) and IDPL Diamond Jubilee IMA Oration Award (1996).
He was also awarded by The Chandigarh Administration on the Republic Day of India for social service and illustrious achievements in the field of blood donation.
