Donor identification is important. Bring your Red Cross Donor Card or drivers license when donating.
Giving blood is safe. A sterile needle is used for each donor and then immediately discarded.
Every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion.
One in ten hospital patients needs a blood transfusion.
If you have a cold, flu or cough symptoms you will not be able to donate. It's for your good health and that of the blood recipient.
An eligible donor must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 105 pounds, and be in generally good health.
In our region, the need for blood is approximately 1,025 units per working day, year-around.
The American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Region, supplies blood to more than 110 hospitals across parts across Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
If you are O-negative, you have the universal blood type, which means that, in emergencies, your blood can be transfused to anyone, regardless of their blood type.
If you are O-positive, your blood can be transfused to more than 85% of the population. - O-positive, A-positive, B-positive, or AB-positive.
The major components of blood are plasma(55%), red cells(45%), and white cells and platelets(less than 0.5%).
The average adult contains 10 - 12 pints of blood
Donating blood is simple and easy. Actual donation time takes only 10 - 12 minutes. (Allow 1 hour for the entire process)
The nations blood supply is safer than ever before.
Filling out the blood donor forms honestly and completely is a very important part of the process of giving blood.
Some people can donate blood for their own use.
Approximately 4.2% of those between the ages of 18-75 donate blood in the United States.
Only 5% of the eligible population in the United States donate blood
The American Red Cross collects 50% of the U.S. blood supply.
Persons 65 years and older use 25% of all blood units transfused.
Each blood donation may help save the life of more than one
person.
On average, a liver transplant patient will need 6-10 units of red
blood cells, 20 units of plasma and 10 units of platelets (1-2 units
of apheresis platelets).
On average, a kidney transplant patient will need 1-2 units of red
blood cells.
On average, a heart transplant patient will need 4-6 units of red
blood cells.
Prostrate cancer surgery may require 2-4 units of red blood cells.
A premature newborn may need 1-4 units of red blood cells while in
intensive care.
In our region, 4,572 units of blood were donated at 1451 blood drives
for 2009 -2010 providing the “Gift of
Life” for hospital patients.
