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| What is blood? |
Blood carries gases, nutrients and waste products through the
body. Blood also fights infections, heals wounds and performs many
other vital functions. There is no substitute for blood. It cannot
be made or manufactured. Donors are the only source of blood for
patients who need it.
One unit of blood can be separated into components: red blood cells,
white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate. |
Blood Cells Are Produced in Bone Marrow
Red cells, white cells and platelets are made in the marrow of bones,
especially the vertebrae, ribs, hips, skull and sternum. These essential
blood cells fight infection, carry oxygen and help control bleeding.
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Plasma Carries Blood Cells
Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts. One
of the functions of plasma is to act as a carrier for blood cells,
nutrients, enzymes and hormones. |
Red Cells Deliver Oxygen
Red cells are disc-shaped cells containing hemoglobin, which enables
the cells to pick up and deliver oxygen to all parts of the body.
Photo Copyright: Dennis Kunkel, University of Hawaii |
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White Cells Defend The Body
White cells are the body's primary defense against infection. They
can move out of the blood stream and reach tissues being invaded.
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| 1 |
Anyone in good health, at least 17 years old, and
at least 110 pounds may donate blood every
90 days. |
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| 2 |
4.5 million: the
number of American lives saved each year by blood transfusions.
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32,000 pints:
amount of donated blood used each day in the United States. |
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| 4 |
Someone needs blood every three seconds. |
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| 5 |
One out of ten hospital patients needs blood. |
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Three: the number of lives
saved by one pint of donated blood. |
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| 7 |
Ten pints: amount of blood in the body of an average
adult. |
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| 8 |
One unit of blood is roughly the equivalent of one
pint. |
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| 9 |
Blood makes up about 7% of your body's weight. |
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| 10 |
A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his body.
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| 11 |
3.4 pints: the average red blood cell transfusion.
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| 12 |
Blood fights infection and helps heal wounds. |
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| 13 |
Four main blood types: A, B, AB and O. AB
is the universal recipient, O negative is the universal donor. |
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Blood centers often run short of types O and B blood.
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Shortages of all blood types happen during the summer
and winter holidays. |
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If all blood donors gave 2 to 4 times a year, it would
help prevent blood shortages. |
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| 17 |
48 gallons: amount
of blood you could donate if you begin at age 17 and donate every
56 days until you reach 76 years old. |
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| 18 |
Three gallons of blood is used every minute in the
United States. |
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| 19 |
Four steps to donate blood: medical history, quick
physical, donation and snacks. |
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| 20 |
The actual blood donation
usually takes less than ten minutes. The entire process
-- from the time you sign in to the time you leave -- takes about
an hour. |
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| 21 |
Giving blood will not decrease your strength. |
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| 22 |
You cannot get AIDS or any
other infectious disease by donating blood. |
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| 23 |
14 tests (11 for infectious diseases) are performed
on each unit of donated blood. |
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| 24 |
Any company, community organization, place of worship
or individual may contact their local community blood center to
host a blood drive. |
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| 25 |
People donate blood out of a sense of duty and community
spirit, not to make money. They are not paid for their donation.
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| 26 |
Much of today's medical care depends on a steady supply
of blood from healthy donors. |
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| 27 |
One unit of blood can be separated into several components:
red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate. |
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| 28 |
Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's organs
and tissue. |
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| 29 |
One billion: the number of red blood cells in two
to three drops of blood. |
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| 30 |
Red blood cells live about 120 days in the circulatory
system. |
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| 31 |
Platelets support blood clotting
and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live.
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| 32 |
Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) is a special kind of blood
donation that allows a donor to give specific blood components,
such as platelets. |
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42 days: the shelf life of donated red blood cells.
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Five days: the shelf life of donated platelets. |
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One year: the shelf life of frozen plasma. |
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Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins
and salts. |
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Plasma, which is 90% water, constitutes 55% of blood
volume. |
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| 38 |
Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red
cells, plasma and platelets. |
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| 39 |
Car accident and blood loss victims can need transfusions
of 50 pints or more of red blood cells. |
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| 40 |
Bone marrow transplant patients
need platelet donations from about 120 people and red blood cells
from about 20 people. |
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| 41 |
Severe burn victims can need 20 units of platelets
during their treatment. |
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| 42 |
Children being treated for cancer, premature infants
and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from
donors of all types. |
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| 43 |
Anemic patients need blood transfusions to increase
their iron levels. |
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Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, and patients
undergoing open-heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive.
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| 45 |
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that affects
more than 80,000 people in the United States, 98% of whom are of
African descent. Some patients with complications from severe sickle
cell disease receive blood transfusions every month up to 4 pints
at a time. |
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| 46 |
500,000: the number of Americans who donated blood
in the days following the September 11 attacks. |
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| 47 |
Females receive 53% of blood transfusions; males receive
47%. |
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94% of blood donors are registered voters. |
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60% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood
only 5% do. |
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17% of non-donors cite "never thought about it" as
the main reason for not giving, while 15% say they're too busy.
The #1 reason donors say they give is because they "want to help
others." |
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| 51 |
After donating blood, you replace these red blood
cells within four weeks. It takes eight weeks to restore the iron
lost after donating. |
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Granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, roll along
blood vessel walls in search of bacteria to eat. |
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White cells are the body's primary defense against
infection. |
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| 54 |
There is no substitute for human blood. |
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| 55 |
Since a pint is pound, you lose
a pound every time you donate blood. |
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Blood donation. It's about
an hour of your time. It's About Life. |
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| Blood Donor Guideline |
Can I donate blood?
You will probably meet the medical requirements to donate blood
if you are:
- In good health
- At least 17 years old (there is no upper age limit in most states)
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
You may not be able to give blood if you have a cold, flu, recent
pregnancy, surgery or serious illness.
Not sure if you qualify? Contact your local blood
center.
I'm taking medications. Can I still donate blood?
Many medications are acceptable. Consult your physician or ask your
community blood center medical staff if you have questions about
your eligibility to donate.
Will recent vaccinations make me ineligible to donate blood?
Recent vaccinations may prevent
you from donating blood. You may be deferred for up to one month
if you have recently received measles, mumps or rubella vaccinations.
If that is the case, contact your blood center and schedule an appointment
for next month!
How do the new FDA policies affect the blood supply?
America's Blood Centers' members have lost thousands of loyal and
potential donors due to new deferrals put in place by the FDA. You
can help make up for these losses. Donate
blood several times a year if you are eligible. |
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| Blood Is Needed |
38,000 Units of Blood Needed Every Day
The national blood supply must cover every day needs and unexpected
disasters. Volunteer blood donors are needed year-round to ensure
there is enough blood on the shelves whenever and wherever it is
needed:
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Blood
Use
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Units*
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| Aplastic Anemia |
4 units/month |
| Auto Accident/Gunshot Wound |
50 units |
| Bleeding Ulcer |
30 units |
| Bone Marrow Transplant |
2 units/day |
| Brain Surgery |
10 units |
| Cancer |
8 units/week |
| Cardiovascular Surgery |
25 units |
| Coronary Artery Bypass |
5 units |
| Liver Transplant |
100 units |
| Organ Transplants |
10 units |
| Sickle Cell |
4 units/month |
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* Maximum average usage.
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Major Disasters Do Not Usually Require a Lot of Blood
But that's when blood centers see the greatest outpouring of support
from donors.
One out of three people need donated blood
in their lifetime. This is an every day need. You can help blood
centers fill every request for blood by making sure it is available
before it's needed. |
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| Blood Safety And Testing |
Safety Procedures Protect Donors and Recipients
All blood centers follow these general safety procedures:
- Blood donor eligibility standards
- Confidential exclusion of donations
- Donor record checks
- Individual screening Laboratory testing
Lab Testing Ensures Blood Safety
Tests are done on each unit of blood:
- ABO blood grouping
- Red cell antibody screen
- Rh type
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Antibodies to hepatitis C
- Antibodies to HIV-1
- Antibodies to HIV-2
- Syphilis
What if I test positive?
Donors may be temporarily or indefinitely deferred from donating
blood, depending on the type of positive test result. In a few cases,
the donor does not need to be deferred.
The blood donation is almost always discarded. The donor is notified
by mail of any abnormal test results, or may be notified that their
blood center wishes to consult personally with him/her. At that
time, the blood center is able to help the donor understand the
test result and subsequent deferral. |
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| How Blood Save Lives |
Blood Donation is a Community Responsibility
- While you're reading this, someone in INDIA needs blood:
- Blood is needed every three seconds.
- One out of three people need donated
blood in their lifetime.
- One out of ten hospital patients
needs a blood transfusion.
- Blood is always needed for
treatment of accident victims, cancer
patients, hemophiliacs and surgery patients.
- Blood cannot be manufactured or harvested.
Our blood supply comes from healthy, caring donors like you. When
you give blood, you give someone another laugh, another hug, another
chance.
Donate
blood. It's about one hour of your time. It's about life.
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| Blood Transfusions - Knowing Your Options |
Blood transfusions are a critical part of everyday medicine. About
4.5 million patients receive blood each year.
Patients receiving organ transplants, cancer therapies and support
for sickle cell anemia depend on lifesaving transfusions. Blood
is also critical to the survival of premature babies and patients
undergoing heart or joint replacement surgery.
Blood also plays a life-saving role in serious accidents, civil
and military conflicts, and widespread tragedies, such as earthquakes
and hurricanes.
To make sure blood is available for all patients who need it, healthy
Americans should give blood as often as possible (every eight weeks)
through their community blood center. If you are unable to donate
blood yourself, encourage healthy family members and friends to
do so to make sure the gift of life is there when it is needed.
Should you or a loved one require a blood transfusion, talk with
your doctor about your options, possible risks and whether you might
be able to donate your own blood for your operation.
Why would my doctor recommend a blood transfusion?
You may need blood for a variety of reasons. Your body needs to
replenish blood that is lost, destroyed or not replaced by your
bone marrow, which makes your blood cells.
Loss may occur:
- during surgery;
- in an accident;
- as a result of cancer treatment or other illnesses that cause
anemia. Anemia occurs when the bodys red blood cell count is very
low. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs so that it can
be used throughout the body.
Is it safe to get a blood transfusion?
Your Risks
The blood supply is safer today than it ever has been. Strict screening
practices in the selection of donors, as well as federal safety
requirements for the testing, storage and transportation of blood,
make America's blood supply as safe as modern technology can make
it. While INDU blood supply is very
safe, blood transfusions are not risk-free.
Only people who are not at risk for an infectious disease can give
blood. Donors must answer a series of detailed questions about their
health and risk for diseases that can be passed through the blood
supply such as HIV (the disease that causes AIDS) and hepatitis
C. After completing the health questionnaire, donors take a mini-physical
to make sure they are not anemic, have a fever or have high blood
pressure. Each unit of donated blood (about one pint) goes through
extensive testing to make sure it's safe for transfusion. If you
think your health or behavior (such as using intravenous drugs or
having multiple sex partners) may pose a threat to the blood supply,
you should not donate blood. You also should not give blood to be
tested for HIV, hepatitis C or any other disease that can be transmitted
through the blood supply.
In almost every case, the life-saving benefits of receiving a needed
blood transfusion outweigh the possible risk of contracting an infectious
disease. The risk of contracting HIV from a blood transfusion is
about one in two million. That is much less than the risk of dying
from a lightning strike. Thanks to new blood testing procedures,
the chance of getting Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is about the same.
Where does the blood for my transfusion come from?
Volunteer Blood Donors
Non-paid volunteers give virtually all the blood needed in the United
States for transfusions. Non-profit community blood centers use
blood collected only from volunteer donors. The FDA requires that
blood be labeled, stating whether a unit of blood has come from
a volunteer or paid donor. Studies have shown that blood given by
volunteers is much safer for transfusions than blood given by paid
donors. Also, using blood donated by volunteers ensures that it
was given only for altruistic reasons.
Other Options That May Be Available:
- Using Your Own Blood
- Directed Donation
- Apheresis Donation
Using Your Own Blood
Using your own blood, called autologous (aw-TOL-o-gus) donation,
reduces the chance of having a reaction to a blood transfusion.
It also prevents you from getting a disease that may have been transmitted
through the blood of others.
With your doctors approval, you can donate your own blood up to
six weeks before your surgery. Your doctors also can collect your
blood during surgery and return it to your body at the end of operation.
This procedure is called blood dilution or intraoperative hemodilution.
Depending on the timing of your surgery, the type of surgery and
your personal health, these procedures may not be practical.
When it is not possible to donate your own blood, you may receive
blood donated by volunteers at the community blood center. Because
of the increasing safety of the volunteer blood donor supply, the
effectiveness of autologous donations is being debated by the medical
community. As a result, some insurance plans are limiting its use.
Directed Donation
A directed donation is blood that is donated for you by family members
or friends who have the same blood type as you.
There is no evidence that directed donations are safer than blood
donated by community volunteers. In fact, blood donations from close
relatives are more likely to cause a reaction by your immune system.
In these situations, doctors must treat directed blood donations
with radiation before it can be used safely.
Apheresis Donation
An apheresis (a-fer-EE-sis) blood donation is blood that goes through
a special machine to separate it during the donation so that only
certain parts of the blood are collected. This allows more of one
blood component, such as platelets, to be collected. For example,
one apheresis platelet donation contains six to eight times more
platelets than one whole blood donation.
Blood and Blood Components
Your medical situation will determine which blood component(s) you
may need.
Red Cells
Red blood cells give your blood its red color. They also carry oxygen
from the lungs to your body's organs and tissues and take carbon
dioxide back to your lungs to be exhaled.
Platelets
Platelets are very small colorless cell fragments in your blood
whose main function is to stop bleeding. An average of four to eight
units of platelets from whole blood donations (or one apheresis
donation) is needed to meet one patients needs.
Plasma
Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. Plasma transports water
and nutrients to your body's tissues. Plasma also contains many
proteins that help the blood to clot and fight disease.
White Cells or Leukocytes
White cells fight infection. In general, white cells provide no
added benefit for a patient who needs a transfusion. Sometimes they
can cause illness or transfusion reactions. In these instances,
the white cells will be removed before a patient receives it. (Please
see the following section on Reducing Your Risks.)
Reducing Your Risks
For some patients, there are benefits to removing white cells entirely
from blood.
More than half of all donated blood currently has white blood cells
removed. This process is called white cell or leukocyte (LOU-ko-cite)
reduction. It may prevent a reaction to a blood transfusion and
help some patients recover more quickly from surgery. Your doctor
can tell you whether your condition requires white cell reduction.
Because of the real and possible effects of white cells in blood
transfusions, the Indian medical and blood community is moving toward
a time when all pints of blood and blood components will be leukocyte
reduced.
I keep reading about blood substitutes - will they be available
soon?
Despite much promising research, a true substitute for blood
cells (that is, the red cells and platelets) will not be available
for many years. More likely, blood transfusions will continue to
become even safer because of improved blood donor screening and
testing. In addition, scientists are exploring new technologies
that can virtually eliminate infectious diseases from blood transfusions.
New drugs and medical techniques also can sometimes significantly
reduce or eliminate the need for blood transfusions. For example,
most surgeries today require far less blood than just a few years
ago. In another example, patients on kidney dialysis who used to
need monthly blood transfusions, now take a drug that promotes red
cell production in the body and almost eliminates the need for a
blood transfusion.
If nearly all blood comes from volunteers, why is there a charge?
While blood is donated at no cost by volunteers, blood centers charge
a fee to cover the costs of recruiting blood donors and collecting,
testing and distributing blood to hospitals. These "service fees"
also apply when you're donating blood for your own use.
Hospitals also charge a fee for laboratory work, which makes sure
the donated blood matches your blood type and for the transfusion
procedure itself.
Before you or someone you love receives a blood transfusion, talk
to your doctor about the options. Your doctor can tell you which
options are appropriate for you and can provide you with additional
information about your transfusion. |
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| Use Of Human Blood And Components |
- Blood is made up of plasma, platelets and red cells.
Plasma is...
- A watery fluid that transports cells and replaces volume
- Needed to maintain blood pressure and assists in clotting
Platelets are...
- Proteins that help blood clot
- Used in transplant, leukemia and other cancer patients
Red cells...
- Carry oxygen to compensate for loss of blood
- Are used to treat anemia and blood loss from surgery and/or trauma
How are blood components used?
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Recipients
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Blood
Needed
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| Automobile Accident |
- 50 units of blood |
| Bone Marrow Transplant |
- 20 units of blood / 120 units of platelets
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| Burn |
- 20 units of platelets |
| Heart Surgery |
- Six units of blood |
| Organ Transplant |
- 40 units of blood
- 30 units of platelets
- 20 bags of cryoprecipitate
- 25 units of fresh frozen plasma |
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*Average usage.
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