• In order to meet hospital demands the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center must collect at least 600 units of blood each day to service 100 hospitals in 43 South Texas counties.
  
• An adult of average weight has about 10 to 12 pints of blood.
  
• Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds, keeping you healthy.
  
• There are four main blood types: A, B, AB and O.
  
• Just one pint of donated blood can help save the lives of several people. One pint of blood may be separated into several components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.
  
• Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues.
• There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood.
  
• Donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days
  
• People who have been in car accidents and have suffered massive blood loss may require transfusions of 50 pints or more of red blood cells
  
• Platelets are small blood cells that help control bleeding. Platelets help blood to clot and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live.
  
• Cancer, transplant, trauma, and open-heart surgery patients require platelet transfusions to survive.
  
• Donated platelets must be used within five days.
  
• Plasma , which is 90 percent water, constitutes 55 percent of blood volume.
  
• Plasma can be frozen and used for up to one year.
  
• Plasma helps maintain blood pressure, carries blood cells, nutrients, enzymes, and hormones, and supplies critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity
  
• Bypass surgery uses an average of six pints of red blood cells and six pints of platelets.
  
• The average liver transplant patient needs 40 pints of red blood cells, 30 pints of platelets, 20 bags of cryoprecipitate, and 25 pints of fresh frozen plasma.
  
• The average bone marrow transplant requires 120 pints of platelets and about 20 pints of red blood cells.
  
• Severe burn victims can need 20 pints of platelets during their treatment.
  
• There is no substitute for human blood.
  
• Sixty percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, however, only five percent do.
  
• If all blood donors gave at least twice a year, it would greatly strengthen the nation's blood supply.
  
• Every three seconds someone needs blood.
  
• One out of every 10 people entering a hospital needs blood.
  
• Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each day in the United States.
  
• Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.
  
• Blood donation takes four steps: medical history, quick physical, donation, and snacks. The actual blood collection takes approximately 10-20 minutes. The entire process, from when you sign in to the time you leave, takes about 45 minutes to one hour.
  
• Giving blood will not decrease your strength.
  
• Apheresis is a special kind of blood donation that allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as Platelets.
  
• You cannot get AIDS or any other blood disease by donating blood.

Blood types and who can use your blood: