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National Donor Day

Give the gift of life this National Donor Day - sign up to become an organ donor and help save countless lives!
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Category
Health
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When it is?
February 14
Location Icon
Country
United States
Introduction

Celebrate National Donor Day on February 14th by showing your support for organ and tissue donation! This special day has been observed since 1998 to raise awareness about the importance of donating organs, tissues, blood, and marrow. It's a great way to honor those who have made lifesaving donations as well as remind everyone how they can make a difference in someone else’s life.

History of National Donor Day

National Donor Day Dates

National Donor Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1954</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Successful Kidney Transplant</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first successful kidney transplant took place at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1967</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Heart Transplant</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1984</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Organ Transplant Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>The US Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act, establishing the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rose Parade Tradition Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Donate Life float appeared in the Rose Parade, a tradition that continues today to honor organ, eye and tissue donors nationwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of National Donor Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with other health agencies, officially established National Donor Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2004</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Legal Document for Donor Registration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Donor registration became a legal document of gift in the US, making it binding and respected across all states.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate National Donor Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate blood.</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Giving blood is one of the most selfless acts a person can do, and it provides lifesaving help to those in need. Consider donating blood on National Donor Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a fundraising event.</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a fundraiser or bake sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity. This is a great way to celebrate National Donor Day while also giving back to your community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer your time.</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Volunteering your time can be one of the most rewarding ways to celebrate National Donor Day. Look for local opportunities at churches, hospitals, or schools that need help.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness.</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start conversations with your family and friends about the importance of becoming a donor and donating money or goods to charities. Share inspiring stories online to spread awareness about National Donor Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself.</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to research different charities and organizations in your area so you know where you should be donating to. Understanding the impact of your donations is an important part of being a donor.</p></div></div>

Why We Love National Donor Day

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Donors help save lives</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Organ and tissue donors provide the most precious gift of all - life. Donations can help people who are waiting for transplants and who otherwise would not have had a chance to live. Celebrating National Donor Day is a great way to recognize the life-saving legacy of those brave individuals who choose to donate their organs and tissue, as well as the families of the deceased organ donors.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Donors improve quality of life</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Organ donation literally gives someone another chance at life. From allowing an individual to receive a lifesaving heart transplant, to giving someone their sight back with a corneal transplant, the list of possibilities is both inspiring and heartbreaking. National Donor Day celebrates those amazing stories of hope, and encourages more people to join in this life-changing act.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Donors increases awareness about organ donation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By celebrating National Donor Day, we create an avenue where public information about organ donation can be shared. It also serves as an opportunity for us to understand the importance of registering as organ donors and joining community led initiatives like Organ Procurement Organizations that facilitate donations from deceased donors.</p></div></div>

5 Interesting Facts About Blood Donation

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donating blood can save up to three lives</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each donation of approximately 1 pint of blood, the usual amount given at donation centers, can potentially save up to three lives.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Blood donation benefits the donor's health as well</h3><p class='facts-content'>The process can help lower iron levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. It also provides a free health screening!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Type O negative blood is universal</h3><p class='facts-content'>People with this blood type are universal donors, but only 7% of the population have O negative blood.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The blood supply needs to be continually replenished</h3><p class='facts-content'>Blood has a shelf life of 42 days, and platelets have a shelf life of just five days, which is why regular donations are so crucial.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Patients with sickle cell diseases need frequent blood transfusions</h3><p class='facts-content'>Frequent blood transfusions can mitigate the painful and damaging health effects of more severe forms of the disease.</p></div></div>

National Donor Day FAQs

When is National Donor Day?

National Donor Day is celebrated on February 14 every year. In 2024 National Donor Day will occur on a Wednesday.

National Donor Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Feb 14

Tuesday

2024

Feb 14

Wednesday

2025

Feb 14

Friday

2026

Feb 14

Saturday

2027

Feb 14

Sunday

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