General Facts About Blood

  • 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. blood bags
  • 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. blood tubes
  • 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.
  • 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 TYPE
    % POPULATION WITH
    THIS TYPE
    WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS TYPE?
    0+
    37.4%
    0+   A+  B+  AB+
    0-
    6.6%
    All Blood Types
    A+
    35.8
    A+  AB+
    A-
    6.3
    A+  A-  AB+  AB-
    B+
    8/5
    B+  AB+
    B-
    1.5
    B+  B-  AB+  AB-
    AB+
    3.4
    AB+
    AB-
    .6
    AB+  AB-