All archival documents of the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies containing information about awards of the ‘Honorary Donor of the USSR’ badge and other departmental awards for the period from 1945 to 1992 will be handed over for storage to the State Archive of the Russian Federation (GA RF). This will help to systematize and preserve this information. In total, the Russian Red Cross will send more than 900 files to the State Archive of the Russian Federation, containing information on thousands of Soviet citizens who received the well-deserved title of honorary donor.
“We honour the memory of the donor acts of millions of Soviet citizens and carefully preserve all archival documents containing information about the honoured donors of the USSR. Today, following tradition, we are developing a system to motivate donors, taking into account historical experience and today’s needs. For example, in May 2025, the Russian Red Cross established commemorative badges ‘For Regular Blood Donation,’ which vary depending on the number of donations made over a certain period. For us, this is a way of expressing our immense gratitude to those who systematically donate their blood and give seriously ill people a chance at a new life," emphasised Pavel Savchuk, President of the Russian Red Cross and member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
Public recognition of blood donors began during the Great Patriotic War. In 1944, a badge and the title of ‘Honorary Donor of the USSR’ were introduced. Later, the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the USSR established several more awards: the ‘Drop of Blood’ medal was awarded to those who donated blood for the first time, and the ‘Donor of the USSR’ badges of three degrees were intended for regular donors. Thanks to the vigorous educational activities of the humanitarian organisation, as well as motivation programmes, blood donation in the Soviet Union was prestigious and widespread.
The Russian Red Cross proudly continues the work of the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the USSR. Handing over the information about Soviet donors to the Russian State Archive will help to preserve historical heritage and express deep respect for the heroic deeds of millions of people whose contributions helped to save many human lives.
Due to this, the RRC will no longer accept requests for archival certificates confirming the award of the badge. Once the transfer of the documents is complete, all such requests will be handled solely by the State Archive. Contact information for further inquiries by citizens will be posted on the Russian Red Cross website. The RRC Help Service will continue to provide legal advice on benefits for citizens awarded with the commemorative badge ‘Honorary Donor of the USSR’.
