Blood Donation Day 2026: One Drop of Humanity Theme

National Voluntary Blood Donation Day (NVBDD) was observed on 1 October 2026 at the Swarn Jayanti Auditorium of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), New Delhi. The day falls on 1 October every year and is used to urge healthy, eligible people to give blood regularly, without payment and of their own will. The theme this year was "One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives."

Who organised it

The national observance was arranged by the Blood Transfusion Services Division of the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, together with Lady Hardinge Medical College and its associated hospitals. Dr M. Srinivas, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, presided over the programme and opened the blood donation camp held as part of it. Dr Loveneesh G. Krishna, Director General of Health Services, and Dr Himani Ahluwalia, Director of LHMC, also addressed the gathering.

What was said

Dr Srinivas noted that about 75 per cent of the blood collected in the country now comes from voluntary donors, and asked the government, hospitals, non-government bodies and youth organisations to close the gap that still remains between demand and supply. He pressed for rational use of blood components and for awareness that reaches beyond donation to nutrition and anaemia, especially among women and adolescent girls. Dr Krishna listed the steps taken to strengthen transfusion services: the National Blood Policy, quality assurance systems, the e-RaktKosh portal for donor registration and monitoring, national technical guidelines and communication campaigns. Dr Ahluwalia said LHMC gives free treatment and transfusion support to about 700 registered thalassemia patients, among the largest such services in a government hospital in the country.

States recognised for blood collection in 2025

State Blood Transfusion Councils were felicitated for their collection record in 2025. Among the organisations honoured for their work were Thalassaemics India, the Akhil Bharatiya Terapanth Yuvak Parishad, All India Radio and the Indian Red Cross Society.

The nationwide campaign

The observance is part of a Nationwide Mega Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign running from 17 September to 2 October 2026, in which state health departments, blood centres, colleges, government departments and voluntary groups are taking part. The campaign leans on youth participation and Jan Bhagidari, uses the e-RaktKosh portal for registration and monitoring, and carries the donation pledge on digital platforms including MyGov. The programme at LHMC included a street play by students, the administering of the donation pledge, felicitation of states and organisations, and the singing of the National Song and the National Anthem.