American Red Cross - Southeast Division
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In The US, About Four Million People Need Blood Each Year
That's one person every two seconds, and the overwhelming majority of people who need it would die without it. Healthy, generous donors are the only source of blood. There is no substitute for blood.
Blood is needed for emergencies, surgeries, and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses. Every donation makes a difference in someone's life.
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Every two seconds, someone in the US receives a blood transfusion. | • |
Only 5% of the eligible population gives blood. |
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Each unit of blood can help up to three people. | • |
The need for blood is constant because blood only lasts a maximum of 42 days. |
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One in 10 persons entering the hospital needs blood. | • |
The American Red Cross supplies about one-half of the nation's blood. |
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The American Red Cross needs 25,000 people nationally to donate blood each day to serve patients in need. |
You need to be a minimum of 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Blood donors care about making sure that patients in your community will always have the needed blood. |
What Should I Do Before Donating?
Donating blood will not alter your daily routine in any significant way. We suggest that you do the following things before donating to help you have a great donation experience:
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How often can I donate? |
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Most healthy individuals can give: • blood every 56 days • automated red cell donation every 112 days • platelets every two weeks (24 times a year) |
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Is it safe to give blood? |
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You cannot contract any infectious diseases, including AIDS, by donating blood. • Donating is safe, quick and easy. Needles, bags, and tubing are used only once and then discarded. • Donating rarely hurts. You will feel a brief sting in your arm near your elbow. • Fluid volume (plasma) will be replenished in about 24 hours, platelets in a few days, and red cells in a few weeks. |
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Why is type O blood so important? |
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Type O saves more lives than any other blood type. Since it is the most common blood type, it is constantly in demand. One important fact about Type O is that it can be used in emergencies without typing the patient's blood.
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How does my blood help?
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A single blood donation can be separated into components, which can help more than one person. • Red blood cells help accident victims, surgery patients, and those with anemia. • Platelets help the blood clot and are used for cancer patients and patients suffering from burns or shock. |
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What testing is done to my blood? |
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To ensure the safety of the blood supply, all donated blood goes through testing for HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases. Blood that tests positive is destroyed. Please do not give blood in order for it to be tested. Help keep the blood supply safe! |
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How much blood is used?
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Blood usage varies, depending on the type
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What is donating blood like?
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Donating blood is safe, simple, and takes about an hour from start to finish. Here is the process: • Registration: We will complete a form and ask for your donor card or picture ID (which must be shown before donating) • Mini-Physical and Confidential Health History: We will check your pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and iron to make sure that it is safe for you to give. We will also ask you detailed questions about your health. • Donating: Actual donation time is about 6 to 12 minutes. • Refreshments: Relax and enjoy a snack and some juice! |
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What determines my specific blood type?
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Like eye color, blood type is inherited from the blood types of your mother and father. |
• Blood Donation
Giving blood is one of the easiest things you can do to help patients in need locally and across the nation and it takes only minutes. From reading through donor literature when you walk in the door to post donation refreshments, giving blood takes about an hour of your time. And that one donated unit of blood, when separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, can touch as many as three lives. Donor blood volume is restored within several hours of giving, and red cell volume within several weeks. People may give blood every 56 days.
• Automated Red Cell Donation 
If you only get the chance to donate blood 1 or 2 times a year, automated red cell donation may be your key to saving more lives than ever before. Taking only 20 minutes longer than a blood donation, an automated red cell donation collects twice the amount of red cells, allowing the donor to make twice the difference. People may donate through this process every 112 days.
• Platelet Donation
Because of the nature of their illnesses, patients needing platelets must have transfusions that are more exactly matched than whole blood donations. Type A and AB individuals meeting basic blood donation criteria are encouraged to consider platelet donation to help these patients. Although it takes a little longer, the process of platelet donation is much like that of automated red blood cell donation. People may donate platelets every 2 weeks or a maximum of 24 times a year.
• Autologous & Directed Donation
If you or a family member require blood for an upcoming surgery, a surgeon may discuss with you the option of autologous or directed donation. Autologous donation is when a person donates his or her own use. Directed Donation is when a person donates for the transfusion of a specific individual. Both require a doctor's order. Both procedures are almost identical with whole blood donation.