On 14 June, countries worldwide celebrate World Blood Donor Day with events to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

The theme of the 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign, “Every blood donor is a hero” focuses on the idea that every one of us can become a hero by giving blood. While recognising the silent and unsung heroes who save lives every day through their blood donations, the theme also strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.

To celebrate World Blood Donor Day the Welsh Blood Service invited school children from Hawthorn Primary School to dress up as super heroes to illustrate how many donations are needed everyday. In support of World Blood Donor Day Sam Warburton visited the school before flying off to Australia and met the ‘super heroes’ and helped raise awareness of the importance of giving blood. Sam was happy to support such a great initiative and said “It was fantastic to see the children dressed up, it really brings it home what a vital role blood donor’s play in saving lives.”

Dr Geoff Poole, Director of the Welsh Blood Service added “Our donors are everyday heroes who save the lives of people in our communities. The patients who receive blood cannot thank our donors personally. So, on their behalf, THANK YOU for being a hero in their time of need”.