SMART THINKING

Now is a great time to donate blood.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a campaign run by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of the need for safe blood from volunteer donors. While blood transfusions were attempted soon after British physician William Harvey discovered the circulation of blood in 1628, it wasn’t until 1880 that the first successful blood transfusion of human blood to a patient was recorded by British obstetrician James Blundell, who used the blood for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. According to the Red Cross, someone needs blood every three seconds. Most people who have a major surgical procedure, such as a joint replacement or open heart surgery will have a blood transfusion to replace any blood loss during their surgery. Blood transfusions are also used for patients who have experienced serious injuries from car crashes or natural disasters. Individuals with an illness that causes anaemia, such as leukaemia or kidney disease, will often be the recipients of blood transfusions; according to the Red Cross, one third of blood donations help treat people with cancer. Donated blood can only be stored for 42 days, which is why regular donations are required. Thinking about donating? Go to donateblood.com.au or nzblood.co.nz