Every two seconds, someone needs blood - Every minute, patients use more than 36 units of blood or blood products. Every day approximately 40,000 units of blood are used throughout the country.

The blood supply needs constant replenishment - Every day more people are diagnosed with illness such as cancer, leukemia and sickle cell disease, all which utilize blood for treatment. In treating chronic disease and illness, many people may require up to 200 units of blood.

 

One pint of blood can help up to three people - Each unit of blood can be separated into four components - red cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate and platelets. These components can help as many as three different hospital patients.

 

Nearly all blood used for transfusion in the United States is drawn from volunteer donors - Whole blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelets can be donated every 7 days. Double red cells can be donated every 112 days. Plasma can be donated every 28 days.

 

There is no substitute for human blood - Despite all the research, there has been no replacement of human blood found.

 

A unit of blood is roughly equivalent to a pint - Adult males have about 12 pints of blood in their bodies and females have about eight pints.

 

Giving blood has health benefits - Each donor receives a free mini-physical that checks for anemia, body temperature, pulse and blood pressure. Donors also receive free cholesterol screening results with every blood donation at all Indiana Blood Center locations.

 

Four easy steps to donating blood - Medical history, mini physical, donation and refreshments.

 

The average blood donor gives two times a year - If all blood donors gave three times a year, blood shortages would be a rare event.

 

Donating blood saves lives - The number one reason blood donors say they give is because they want to help others. Now is your chance to give back. Donate blood today and you will not only be helping others, you will be saving lives!