Islamabad: World Blood Donor Day was observed today (Sunday), emphasizing the importance of blood donation and encouraging the public to contribute to life-saving efforts. According to Radio Pakistan, this year's campaign, 'One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.', underscores the role of humanity in every blood donation. The day aims to raise awareness about the necessity of safe blood and blood products while expressing gratitude to voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their contributions. The World Health Organization has called on people across Pakistan to donate blood voluntarily. In a statement issued on World Blood Donor Day, the UN body highlighted a concerning annual shortage of 2.3 million blood donations in the country. WHO reports that Pakistan requires over five million blood donations each year, yet only around 2.7 million are collected, with voluntary and unpaid donations making up just 18 percent of this total. Dr. Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Pakistan, has urged greater public pa rticipation to help address the nation's expanding healthcare needs and bridge the gap in blood donation.