This Tuesday, June 14, is World Blood Donor Day and is a way to raise awareness for the need of blood and blood products by voluntary blood donors.

This year’s campaign slogan is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort.”

The specific objectives of the campaign are to: thank blood donors around the word and create a wider public awareness; highlight the need for committed, year-round blood donation to maintain adequate supplies and achieve universal and timely access to safe blood transfusion; recognize and promote values of voluntary unpaid blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion; and raise awareness for the need for increased investment from governments to build a sustainable and resilient national blood system and increase collection from voluntary donors.

Anyone looking to be a blood donor can visit www. bloodassurance.org/schedule to find the nearest location to donate and schedule an appointment. Blood Assurance will have a mobile drive at River Park Hospital on June 15 and will be at Main Street Live on June 17.

World Blood Donor Day aims to thank those who do donate and save lives and encourage others to start their donation journeys as well.