why donate blood facts

Why you should consider donating blood?

May 19, 2021 · Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. The need for blood is constant. But only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.

What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

8 rows · Facts About Blood Donations. The gift of blood helps save lives, and the demand for blood ...

What are some reasons to donate blood?

Why Give Blood Blood is needed every two seconds. About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood. Blood is always needed for treatment of accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs and surgery patients. Blood cannot be manufactured. Only 37 percent of our country's population is ...

Why am I so hungry after donating blood?

Blood Donation Facts & Statistics. Want to learn more about blood, blood need and blood donation? Check out these facts below to help you whet your curiosity and to understand just why your donation is so important to people in our community. Blood facts compiled using data principally from America’s Blood Centers and AABB. For reuse of ...

Why is donating blood so important?

The biggest benefit of blood donation is that it saves lives. Donations are essential for trauma patients and people undergoing a variety of situations, including surgeries, transplants, chronic illnesses, blood disorders including sickle cell disease and hemophilia, preterm birth and cancer.

What are 5 facts about blood?

Blood Fun FactsThere are 150 Billion red blood cells in one ounce of blood.There are 2.4 Trillion red blood cells in one pint of blood.The human body manufactures 17 million red blood cells per second. ... A red blood cell is around 7 microns in size.More items...

Why should I donate blood 5 Reasons?

5 reasons to donate bloodYou'll help someone else. ... Every donation makes a difference. ... You get a free health check-up. ... All blood types are needed. ... You may need a blood donation in the future.Jan 21, 2021

What's the rarest blood type?

type ABIn the U.S., the blood type AB, Rh negative is considered the rarest, while O positive is most common.May 18, 2020

What are some important facts about blood?

Nearly 7% of the body weight of a human is made up of blood.Platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells are present in blood.Blood consists of a yellow liquid which is known as blood plasma.Blood plasma is primarily made up of water.More items...

Did you know facts about blood donation?

Here are the facts:Just 1 donation can save up to 3 lives.The average red blood cell transfusion is 3 pints (or 3 whole-blood donations).More than 1 million people every year are diagnosed with cancer for the first time. ... More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.More items...

Why you should donate?

You feel good. The act of helping others, donating to charity, or volunteering your time, will give you an improved sense of wellbeing. The knowledge that you've sacrificed time and/or money in order to help others in need or create positive change in the world is a beautiful thing.

How many lives can you save by donating blood?

One donation can save multiple lives. Here are the facts: Just 1 donation can save up to 3 lives.

How many blood donations are needed a day?

More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. Type O-negative whole blood can be transfused to people with any blood type, but this type of blood is rare, and supplies of it are low. Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients with all other blood types, but it's also in short supply.

Why are platelets important?

Platelets are small, disc-shaped cells that aid in blood clotting. They are donated most often to cancer patients, organ recipients and those undergoing heart surgeries. Patients who need platelets often require multiple transfusions. That's why it's so important to donate as often as you can.

What is the yellow liquid in your blood?

Plasma. Plasma is the light yellow liquid in your blood that makes up 50% of total blood volume. It contains proteins that help control bleeding and fight infections. It's used to treat various types of bleeding disorders.

How many pints of blood are there in the world?

Blood from one donation can be divided into two components: red blood cells and plasma. The average adult has about 10 pints of blood, but a typical whole-blood donation is only 1 pint. Red blood cells have a short shelf life. They only last for 6 weeks (42 days).

What is the most commonly transfused blood component?

Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component. Donors are hooked up to a machine that collects the red cells and returns most of the plasma and platelets to the body. Donations from type O donors are crucial to maintaining blood levels in the body.

How long does it take for red blood cells to die?

Red blood cells have a short shelf life. They only last for 6 weeks (42 days). Donating whole blood takes only about 10-15 minutes. You can donate whole blood every 56 days—and we encourage you to donate as often as possible. Platelets are small, disc-shaped cells that aid in blood clotting.

How long does it take to donate blood?

44. The actual blood donation usually takes about 10 minutes. The entire process – from the time you sign in to the time you leave – takes about an hour. 45. After donating blood, you replace the fluid in hours and the red blood cells within four weeks. It takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating.

How many lives can a pint of blood save?

One pint of blood can save up to three lives. 7. Healthy adults who are at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate about a pint of blood—the most common form of donation—every 56 days, or every two months. Females receive 53 percent of blood transfusions; males receive 47 percent.

What is the difference between plasma and platelets?

14. Platelets promote blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live. 15. Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water , proteins and salts. 16. Plasma, which is 90 percent water, makes up 55 percent of blood volume.

What makes bone marrow healthy?

Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets. 18. Blood or plasma that comes from people who have been paid for it cannot be used to human transfusion. 19. Granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, roll along blood vessel walls in search of bacteria to engulf and destroy.

Is AB a universal recipient?

AB is the universal recipient; O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells. 10. Dr. Karl Landsteiner first identified the major human blood groups – A, B, AB and O – in 1901. 11. One unit of blood can be separated into several components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate. 12.