National Blood Donor Day in Iran Date in the current year: July 31, 2024

The holiday was created to commemorate the establishment of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO). Founded in 1974, the IBTO aims to develop a culture of responsible donation in Iran and ensure that those in need of donor blood have access to it. The IBTO collects blood from donors and prepares its for further use, creates mobile and permanent blood donation centres, distributes donor blood between medical establishments, etc.

Islam allows blood donation for saving live, viewing it as a righteous deed. However, there are some conditions that need to be met. First and foremost, blood should be donated voluntarily and not as a result of coercion or purely for money. Donor blood should be intended for a sick or injured person whose life depends on receiving a blood transfusion and there is no other way to help them. Besides, blood donation should not result in any serious harm to the donor.

With regard to the last requirement, there is no wonder that blood donation rates in Iran usually drop during the holy month of Ramadan. As most Muslims fast during the day, there bodies are weakened and it is not advisable that they donate blood.