Download a PDF version of Fifty Blood Facts

1. Last year 4.5 million Americans were given a second chance to live because of blood transfusions!
2. Approximately 40,000 pints of blood are used each day in the United States.
3. The Nebraska Community Blood Bank provides blood to hospitals in six counties.
4. Every two seconds someone needs blood.
5. One out of every seven people entering a hospital needs blood.
6. One in 20 people will be a volunteer blood donor (five percent).
7. One unit of blood is the equivalent of one pint (two cups).
8. O negative is the universal red blood cell donor and can be given to anyone in an emergency.
9. AB positive is the universal red blood cell recipient and can receive from all blood types in an emergency.
10. Blood makes up about seven percent of your body's weight.
11. An average adult has 10-12 pints of blood in his/her body.
12. A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his/her body.
13. There are four blood types: A, B, AB and O. Each of these has a Rh type of negative or positive.
14. Shortages of all types of blood often occur during the summer and winter months.
15. Blood donation involves four steps: medical history, health assessment, donation, and refreshments.
16. The entire donation process for whole blood, from when you sign in to the time you leave, takes about one hour. The actual donation time usually takes less than 10 minutes!
17. Giving blood will not decrease your strength.
18. O positive is the most common blood type and also the most needed.
19. You cannot get AIDS or any other infectious disease by donating blood.
20. At least 12 tests are performed on each donation.
21. Much of today's medical care depends on an available blood supply.
22. One unit of blood can be separated into three parts (red blood cells, plasma and platelets) and as a result, may help as many as THREE people!
23. Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) is a special automated process that allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as platelets.
24. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissue.
25. White blood cells are the body's primary defense against infection.
26. Platelets help blood to clot.
27. Donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection.
28. Donated platelets must be used within five days of collection.
29. Plasma can be frozen for up to one year.
30. Plasma is 90 percent water and constitutes 55 percent of blood volume.
31. Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets.
32. The average bone marrow transplant requires 120 units of platelets and about 20 units of red blood cells.
33. People who have been in car accidents and suffered massive blood loss can require as many as 50 pints of red blood cells.
34. Anemic patients need blood transfusions to increase their iron levels.
35. Cancer, transplant and trauma patients as well as patients undergoing surgery often require platelet and red blood cell transfusions to survive.
36. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that affects more than 80,000 people in the United States, 98 percent of whom are of African descent.
37. Some patients with complications from severe sickle cell disease receive blood transfusions every month – up to four pints at a time.
38. In the days following the September 11 attacks, 500,000 people donated blood.
39. Approximately 40 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, yet less than 10 percent do.
40. The number one reason for not donating? No one ever asked!
41. The number one reason for being a blood donor? To help others.
42. Ninety-four percent of all volunteer blood donors are also registered voters.
43. The Nebraska Community Blood Bank is a member of America’s Blood Centers, an alliance of community-based blood centers in 45 states and Quebec, Canada.
44. America’s Blood Centers' members provide over half of the nation’s blood.
45. After donating blood, you replace the red blood cells within three to four weeks.
46. There are about one billion red blood cells in two drops of blood.
47. Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 115 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.
48. The Nebraska Community Blood Bank has been Connecting People ~ Saving Lives since 1968.
49. Donating blood is the ultimate random act of kindness.
50. There is no substitute for Blood (or a blood donor)!

(Source: America's Blood Centers - www.americasblood.org)