Stating that especially young people and healthy individuals should participate more in blood donation, Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu, Specialist in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, said, "If people do not donate blood, we cannot perform blood transfusions for patients. Therefore, what medicine needs is for individuals who feel healthy to donate blood at regular intervals. Because today, there is no medical product or method that can replace blood. This is why blood donation by healthy people is of great importance. My message to everyone who can donate blood, especially young people who have just turned 18, is this: Let us share our health. Because one unit of blood can save a person's life."
Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu, Specialist in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Yeditepe University Hospitals, stated that Turkey's annual blood requirement is approximately 3 million units and emphasized the vital importance of regular blood donation. Noting that there is no medical product that can replace blood, Prof. Dr. Sönmezoğlu said, "Today, there is no medical product or method that can replace blood. This is why blood donation by healthy people is of great importance."

What Is the Importance of Blood Donation?

Stating that the source of blood, which saves patients' lives and is indispensable in surgeries and oncological treatments, is still volunteer donors, Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu, Specialist in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Yeditepe University Hospitals, said: "There is very rapid progress in patient treatments and medical technologies around the world. We are in a dizzying process of development. However, some things still do not change. For example, blood transfusion for patients. The source of blood, which saves patients' lives and is indispensable in surgeries and oncological treatments, is still volunteer donors. If people do not donate blood, we cannot perform blood transfusions for patients. Therefore, what medicine needs is for individuals who feel healthy to donate blood at regular intervals. Because today, there is no medical product or method that can replace blood. This is why blood donation by healthy people is of great importance."

Who Can Be a Blood Donor?

Stating that there are certain criteria for blood donation, Prof. Dr. Sönmezoğlu said, "So, can everyone donate blood? No. There are certain criteria for blood donation. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 65, who feel healthy, do not have a chronic illness, and are not undergoing any treatment can donate blood. In fact, we say that these people should donate blood. Because there is a common problem facing the entire world. Even though people feel well, they are increasingly refraining from taking the time to donate blood. The situation in our country is similar. Although many people are within the appropriate age range and health status for blood donation, they do not allocate enough time to give blood. This is why we view blood donation as a social responsibility."

Does Blood Donation Have Any Harm?

Stating that the most important message given on World Volunteer Blood Donor Day is 'A drop of humanity saves a life,' Prof. Dr. Sönmezoğlu said, "We recently celebrated World Volunteer Blood Donor Day. Our most important message here was 'A drop of humanity saves a life.' Therefore, we believe that everyone who feels healthy and does not have a chronic illness should take time for blood donation. It is important for those who donate blood to avoid overly strenuous and high-concentration tasks on the day of donation, and also not to carry heavy loads with the arm from which they gave blood. We are often asked whether blood donation is harmful. In fact, blood donation has no known harm. When blood is given, there is a volume loss in the body, and the bone marrow is stimulated to support the production of new and fresh blood cells."

In Which Situations Cannot Blood Be Donated?

Stating that various health checks are carried out during the blood donation process, Prof. Dr. Sönmezoğlu said, "On the other hand, during blood donation, individuals also undergo a brief health assessment. They are examined, some tests are performed, their blood groups are determined, and they get an idea about their general health status. However, people should not donate blood for the purpose of having these tests done. Because our goal is not to perform health screenings for individuals, but to ensure that the donated blood is safely delivered to recipients. There are some diseases in the world that can only be transmitted through blood. AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are among them. Therefore, individuals who are at risk of carrying these diseases or who know that they are carriers should definitely not donate blood. In our country, the annual blood requirement is approximately 3 million units. Our only supplier in this regard is the Turkish Red Crescent. The Turkish Red Crescent reached 3 million units of blood donation in 2025, meeting Turkey's annual blood requirement."

How Many Times a Year Should Blood Be Donated at Minimum?

Addressing especially young people who have just turned 18, Prof. Dr. Sönmezoğlu said, "However, there is one point we need to emphasize here. A significant portion of donations come from people giving blood for the first time or donating on an ad-hoc basis. Our main goal is for individuals who are suitable for blood donation to donate blood regularly, at least once a year, without waiting to be called. Because the safest donor group and the group with the lowest risk in terms of serological diseases consists of regular blood donors. My message to everyone who can donate blood, especially young people who have just turned 18, is this: Let us share our health. Because one unit of blood can save a person's life."