Contact Garrett Caldwell: caldwellg@gc.adventist.org

Seventh-day Adventists are strong supporters of the World Health Organization’s annual World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

This year’s theme is “Safe blood for saving mothers,” which focuses on expectant mothers. The campaign’s goal is to increase awareness about why timely access to safe blood is essential for all countries as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths. Approximately 800 women die each day from pregnancy or child-related complications, according to the World Health Organization.

Dr. Peter Landless, Health Ministries director for the Seventh-day Adventist world church, who has previously donated blood, said access to blood during labor can be critical in helping to save a mother’s life.

“Donating blood could save the life of someone you love, but it could also save the life of someone who can give life,” Landless said.

Seventh-day Adventists, who operate one of the largest network of hospitals and clinics worldwide, support the use of blood transfusions when necessary. The Church has been recognized for its positive promotion of blood drives, from its own world headquarters to local churches.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Costa Rica last year was recognized by the National Blood Bank as the most successful organization in obtaining blood donations, the Costa Rica Star reported. The Church has also been recognized throughout Latin America for its coordination of blood donation drives, such as in Brazil and Colombia. Adventists work in collaboration with local governments as part of a collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organization.

For more information on World Blood Donor Day, visit: www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day/2014/en/