Did You Know?

Blood is the common lifeline that we all share. Check out these facts from America’s Blood Centers and learn just how important blood donation is.

• If 1% more Americans gave blood, all national blood shortages would disappear for the forseeable future.
• More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada.
• Only 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood - less than 10% of eligible donors do it annually.
• Four main red blood cell types: A, B, AB and O. Each can be positive or negative for the Rh factor. AB is the universal recipient; O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells.
• Platelets promote blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live.
• Plasma, which is 90% water, makes up 55% of blood volume.
• White cells are the body’s primary defense against infection.
• Five days: how long most donated platelets can be stored.
• One year: how long frozen plasma can be stored.
• 2.7 pints: the average whole blood and red blood cell transfusion.

For more information on blood donation, visit americasblood.org.