NYBC Social Media Highlights Global Impact of Blood Donation to Save Lives

Every Blood Donor is a Hero.

NEW YORK, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, June 14, New York Blood Center (NYBC) will join a worldwide celebration of World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their lifesaving gifts of blood.

The WBDD 2012 theme is "Every Blood Donor is a Hero," focusing on the idea that everyone can be a hero by giving blood, encouraging every person to roll up their sleeves and donate blood regularly. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated June 14 as WBDD, the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, founder of the ABO blood group system, which is the primary basis of enabling blood to be collected from one individual and transfused to another in a safe manor. This year's host country is the Republic of Korea, and on February 23, Korean students created the world's largest human blood drop, winning the Guinness World Record and breaking all previous records.

"Each World Blood Donor Day, we are reminded of the power of individuals nationwide and across the globe to help save lives by being blood heroes for patients in need. These individuals who donate solely for the desire to help others enable us to have a safe and reliable blood supply," said Dr. Beth Shaz, NYBC Chief Medical Officer.

To celebrate WBDD 2012, NYBC's social media will highlight the extraordinary impact and importance of blood donation on our global communities. For the week leading up to June 14, NYBC will feature a daily snapshot of blood donation facts from all corners of the world.

Dr. Shaz is available to discuss the exciting improvements in the world blood supply and the importance of each individual donor who are true blood heroes.

To learn more about NYBC's activities in honor of WBDD, visit www.facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter. For further information about WBDD 2012, please visit www.who.int/worldblooddonorday.

About New York Blood Center:  New York Blood Center (NYBC), one of the nation's largest non-profit, community-based blood centers, has been providing blood, transfusion products and services to hospitals since 1964. NYBC currently serves more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.  NYBC is also home to the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute and the National Cord Blood Program at the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center, the world's largest public cord blood bank.  NYBC provides medical services and programs (Clinical, Transfusion, and Hemophilia Services) through our medical professionals along with consultative services in transfusion medicine. Please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter.  Follow us on Twitter: @NY­_BloodCenter.

Contact: Rubenstein Associates
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SOURCE New York Blood Center