Donor Day at KBSU: How the Movement is Developing at the University

June 14 marks World Blood Donor Day. The date was established by the WHO and the Red Cross in 2005 and aims to draw attention to the movement that offers a chance to save thousands of lives.

We tell the story of donors at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov and the meaning they find in providing voluntary assistance to patients.

According to TASS, nearly 1.5 million people in Russia are blood donors, a number that increased by more than 19,000 in 2025. Most procedures are voluntary, demonstrating a high level of social responsibility among citizens.

In December 2025, 35 residents of the republic were awarded the «Honorary Donor of Russia» badge. This was announced by the Kabardino-Balkarian Ministry of Health. The title is awarded to individuals who have donated blood or its components more than forty times. There are 877 honorary donors in the region, and the number of donations is growing every year. Damir Khabalov, head of the Dobro.Center social development center at KBSU, believes a similar trend is being observed at the university.

«Since the beginning of the year, about 100 people have become donors at the university, many of whom donate blood on a regular basis. KBSU is participating in the All-Russian Donor Cup campaign, and we also plan to hold another event involving our university staff and students. The exact dates will be published on the university’s social media,» Khabalov announced.

Donors can be 18 years of age and older, with no medical contraindications, and a weight of at least 50 kg. Another important criterion is hemoglobin levels: the minimum acceptable level for men is 130 g/L, and for women, 120 g/L.

The procedure itself takes about half an hour and is carried out under the full supervision of doctors. Before donation, a medical examination is conducted: specialists measure blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, and assess the general health of the potential donor. Donation is permitted only if there are no risks.

Transfusions are necessary for cancer and hematology patients, people injured in traffic accidents, emergencies, or accidents, as well as pregnant women and newborns during difficult births. Blood components are also used to produce a number of medications. Red blood cells, platelets, and plasma can be donated to different patients, meaning that theoretically, one donation saves the lives of three people.

«I’ve donated blood nine times. I decided to become a donor because, since childhood, I’ve wanted to help others. Only truly strong people can support those in need,» comments Azamat Anayev, a Physics Master’s student at KBSU. «Before the procedure, I always have breakfast and try to eat something sweet, as my glucose levels drop significantly during donation.» This effect is temporary; in reality, donating renews the blood and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The standard dose of whole blood is 450 ml. This is approximately 7% of an adult’s blood volume. After donation, plasma is replenished within two days with adequate fluid intake, and red blood cells return to normal within a few weeks. This is why safe intervals are established between donations, allowing the body to fully recover without harming health.

The Healthcare Development Strategy through 2030, approved by Decree No. 896 of the President of the Russian Federation dated December 8, 2025, sets the goal of supporting and improving transfusion care and increasing the production of blood-based products in the country.