This year, World Blood Donor Day is focusing on commitment: commitment from healthy people to become regular voluntary unpaid blood donors; commitment from existing voluntary donors to continue to donate regularly; and commitment by blood transfusion services and partner organizations to provide the highest standards of care at every stage of the transfusion process – from the collection of the donor's blood to its transfusion to the patient.

On 14 June, a global World Blood Donor Day event will be hosted in Bangkok, Thailand, by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Training in Blood Transfusion Medicine and the Thai Red Cross Society National Blood Centre.

World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is an annual global celebration of the millions of people throughout the world who give their blood on a voluntary, unpaid basis to save the lives of those in need. The day aims to raise awareness of the need for safe blood, to thank and honour those blood donors who make transfusion possible and to encourage regular blood donation by suitable donors.

Towards 100% voluntary blood donation: this year, like every year, World Blood Donor Day will be commemorated on 14 June in a global celebration of the millions of people throughout the world who give their blood on a voluntary, unpaid basis to save the lives of those in need. The day aims to raise awareness of the need for safe blood, to thank and honour those blood donors who make transfusion possible and to encourage regular blood donation by suitable donors.

World Blood Donor Day 2006 will focus on commitment: commitment from healthy individuals to become regular voluntary unpaid blood donors, commitment from existing voluntary donors to continue to donate regularly and commitment by blood transfusion services and partner organizations to provide the highest standards of care at every stage of the transfusion process - from the collection of blood from the donor to its transfusion to the patient.