・       Safe blood saves millions of lives each year. Safe blood is a fundamental need for the health system of every country.

・      In all regions of the world, blood shortages result in unnecessary deaths or ill-health. There is a desperate need for more people to donate blood on a regular basis, particularly in developing countries where blood shortages are particularly acute.

・        In many countries, there remains a significant risk of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections through unsafe transfusion.

・        Achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat HIV/AIDS is not possible without adequate supplies of safe blood and blood products.

・        Voluntary unpaid blood donors are the cornerstone of safe and adequate blood supplies:

-         The risk of transmitting HIV and other infections through transfusion is significantly lower when blood is donated by voluntary, altruistic blood donors rather than by family/replacement donors or paid donors

-         Regular donation by voluntary blood donors is critical in ensuring that sufficient blood is available to meet the needs of all patients requiring transfusion

・        The ultimate goal is that every country should achieve 100 per cent voluntary unpaid blood donation

・        The focus of World Blood Donor Day 2006 is commitment:

-         From healthy individuals to become regular voluntary unpaid blood donors

-         From existing voluntary unpaid donors to continue to donate regularly

-         From both governments and blood transfusion services to promote voluntary unpaid blood donation, phase out family replacement donation and eliminate paid donation by strengthening their blood donor education, recruitment and retention programmes

-         From blood transfusion services and partner organizations to provide the highest standards of care at every stage of the transfusion process

-         From clinicians to prescribe blood transfusion only when no alternative treatments are available and to ensure the safety of the transfusion process.

・        The donors come from all walks of life --- without regard to race, religion or borders, which is embodied in the theme of this years' campaign I am ... and I give blood.