World Blood Donor Day Marked with Events in Serbia, Croatia and Czech Republic

June 14 marked World Blood Donor Day with a series of activities across the Balkans and Central Europe. In Serbia, Nikolaj Jordanov, president of the Dimitrovgrad Red Cross, called on healthy adults aged 18‑65 to donate, citing the slogan “One drop of humanity saves a life.” The city of Sremska Mitrovica honored regular donors, reporting 2,976 units collected in 128 drives and 571 first‑time donors, and highlighted long‑time donor Dragan Komnenović, who has given blood 35 times.

In Croatia, the General Hospital in Zadar thanked blood donors for sustaining emergency care, surgeries and treatment of serious illnesses, emphasizing that blood cannot be manufactured or purchased and that donor generosity saves lives daily.

The Czech Republic illuminated the Strakova Academy and Žižkov Tower in red to salute donors. Authorities noted roughly 220,000 annual donors, a shortfall of the 300,000 needed to maintain a stable supply, and that about 170,000 patients receive transfusions each year. The event also commemorated the 120th anniversary of the discovery of the AB blood group. Eligibility guidelines were reiterated: donors must be 18‑65 years old, weigh at least 50 kg, and may give up to five times a year (four for women).