Facts about blood
needs
| 1. |
Every two seconds someone in
the U.S. needs blood |
| 2. |
More than 38,000 blood
donations are needed every day |
| 3. |
One out of every 10 people
admitted in a hospital needs blood |
| 4. |
Total blood transfusions in a
given year: 14 million (2001) |
| 5. |
The average red blood cell
transfusion is approximately 3 pints |
| 6. |
The blood type most often
requested by hospitals is Type O |
| 7. |
The blood used in an emergency
is already on the shelves before the event
occurs |
| 8. |
Sickle cell disease affects
more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98% of whom
are African American. Sickle cell patients can
require frequent blood transfusions throughout
their lives |
| 9. |
More than 1 million new people
are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of
them will need blood, sometimes daily, during
their chemotherapy treatment. |
| 10. |
A single car accident victim
can require as many as 100 units of blood.
See more facts on blood needs for various
medical treatments |
Facts about eligibility
| 11. |
You must be at least 17 years
old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in good
general health to donate (note: eligibility
requirements may vary in some states and blood
centers) |
| 12. |
A healthy donor may donate red
blood cells every 56 days |
| 13. |
A healthy donor may donate
platelets as few as 3 days apart, but a maximum
of 24 times a year |
Facts about the blood
supply
| 14. |
The number of blood donations
collected in the U.S. in a year: 15 million
(2001) |
| 15. |
The number of blood donors in
the U.S. in a year: 8 million (2001) |
| 16. |
The number of patients who
receive blood in the U.S. in a year: 4.9 million
(2001) |
| 17. |
The volume of blood transfused
to patients is increasing at the rate of 6% per
year (2001) |
| 18. |
The demand for blood
transfusions is growing faster than donations |
| 19. |
Approximately 60% of the U.S.
population is eligible to give blood — only 5%
do in a given year |
| 20. |
Blood cannot be manufactured —
it can only come from generous donors |
| 21. |
Shortages of all blood types
usually occur during the summer and winter
holidays |
Facts about the blood
donation process
| 22. |
Donating blood is a safe
process. A sterile needle is used only once for
each donor and then discarded |
| 23. |
Blood donation is a simple
four-step process: registration and medical
history, mini-physical, donation, and
refreshments |
| 24. |
Every blood donor is given a
mini-physical, checking the donor's temperature,
blood pressure, pulse and hematocrit level (red
blood cells count) to ensure it is safe for him
or her to give blood |
| 25. |
The actual blood donation
typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The
entire process, from the time you arrive to the
time you leave, takes about an hour |
| 26. |
The average adult has about 10
to 12 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint
is given during a donation |
| 27. |
All donated blood is tested for
HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other
infectious diseases, before it can be released
to hospitals |
| 28. |
Information you give to the
American Red Cross during the donation process
is strictly confidential. It may not be released
without your permission except as directed by
law |
Facts about blood and
its components
| 29. |
Whole blood can be processed
into red cells,
platelets, plasma, and
cryoprecipitate. The total
number of units of all of these components
transfused in a year is 29 million (2001) |
| 30. |
It is possible to donate
specifically only platelets or plasma. This
process is called apheresis |
| 31. |
Most donated red blood cells
must be used within 42 days of collection |
| 32. |
Donated platelets must be used
within 5 days of collection — new donations are
constantly needed |
| 33. |
Healthy bone marrow makes a
constant supply of red cells, plasma and
platelets. The body will replenish the elements
given during a blood donation - some in a matter
of hours, and others in a matter of weeks |
Facts about donors
| 34. |
The #1 reason donors say they
give blood is because they "want to help others" |
| 35. |
Two most common reasons cited
by people who don't give blood are: "Never
thought about it" and "I don't like needles" |
| 36. |
One donation can help save the
lives of up to 3 people |
| 37. |
If you began donating blood at
age 17 and donated every 56 days until you
reached 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of
blood, potentially helping save over 1,000
lives! |
| 38. |
Red Cross donors are 50% male,
50% female |
| 39. |
The American Red Cross accepts
blood donations only from voluntary donors |
| 40. |
Among Red Cross donors in a
given year, 18% donate occasionally, 38% are
first time donors, and 43% are repeat and loyal
donors |
| 41. |
People with O- type blood are
universal donors. Their blood can be given to
people of all blood types. Only 7% of people in
the U.S. have O- blood type |
| 42. |
Type O- blood is often used in
emergencies before the patient's blood type is
known, and with newborns who need blood. |
| 43. |
45% of people in the U.S. have
type O (+/-) blood. This percentage is higher
among Hispanics — 57%, and among African
Americans — 51% |
| 44. |
People with AB+ type blood are
universal donors of plasma, the liquid portion
of blood. AB+ plasma is often used in
emergencies, for newborns and for patients
requiring massive transfusions |
Facts about the
American Red Cross
| 45. |
The American Red Cross blood
program started in 1940, under the leadership of
Dr. Charles Drew |
| 46. |
The American Red Cross supplies
approximately 45% of the nation's blood supply |
| 47. |
The Red Cross provides blood
for patients in nearly 3,000 hospitals across
the U.S. |
| 48. |
The Red Cross makes blood
available to any patient who needs it — patients
are not required to find donors to replace the
blood they use (a practice common in Europe and
some U.S. blood banks) allowing the patient and
their family to focus on recovery |
| 49. |
80% of the blood donations
given to the Red Cross are collected at mobile
blood drives set up at community organizations,
companies, high schools, colleges, places of
worship or military installations. The remaining
20% are collected at fixed Red Cross donor
centers |
| 50. |
The American Red Cross works
with over 50,000 sponsors each year to hold more
than 120,000 blood drives, providing convenient
locations for people to give blood |
|