Give the Gift of Life

Today, I went to a local blood drive to give blood. This isn’t one of my favorite things to do, but I know that is very important. It is especially important in the summer months, as donations go down, since people are on vacations and don’t tend to give then. Here are some statistics courtesy of the Red Cross:

  • every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs blood
  • 25% of blood products are used to treat cancer patients
  • a single shock-trauma victim can use 100 units of blood components in just a few hours
  • approximately 4 million patients receive a blood transfusion each year
  • each blood donation has the power to help save as many as three lives
  • you can donate blood every 56 days
  • 97% of the population will receive a blood transfusion by the age of 75
  • The four main blood types are: A, B, AB and O, positive or negative
  • one pint of blood can be separated into three components: red cells, platelets and plasma
  • blood is perishable; red blood cells must be used within 42 days and platelets must be used within 5 days
  • the average adult body contains approximately 10-12 pints of blood

If you are interested in giving blood, check this out to find a local blood drive.

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July 15, 2006 | Filed Under Health & Safety 

Comments

One Response to “Give the Gift of Life”

  1. Mr. Diaper Bags on July 21st, 2006 2:34 pm

    I agree. Since reading some stats like those posted above I’ve tried to donate as often as I can. I had one embarrassing episode though involving dizziness and partial fainting, but even so I’ve tried to get out there when possible.

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