Produced in the bone marrow, blood is typically collected in what is called "whole blood" and then separated into its three unique components, each delivering a life-saving benefit to someone in need:
Platelets
Platelets constitute a small percentage of total blood volume.
What do they do?
Control bleeding.
Whose lives are saved?
Leukemia and cancer patients, cardiac surgery patients, burn victims, organ and bone marrow transplant recipients, and people with bleeding disorders.
Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells make up approximately 45% of blood volume. A few drops of whole blood contain about one billion red blood cells.
What do they do?
Carry oxygen throughout the body.
Whose lives are saved?
Premature infants, trauma victims, surgical patients, people battling cancer, sickle cell, kidney disease, and anemia.
Plasma
Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins, and salts that constitutes 55% of blood volume.
What does it do?
Promotes clotting.
Whose lives are saved?
Burn victims, cardiac surgery patients, liver transplant recipients, and patients suffering from shock or bleeding and immune disorders.