Saving Lives: January is National Blood Donor Month

During the winter months, there are often shortages of blood and blood centers face the challenge of recruiting people to donate blood. 

The facts: 

• Less than 10% of approximately 6.8 million individuals donate blood annually. 
• Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells and 7,000 units of platelets are needed every day in the U.S.
• The human body typically has 10 pints of blood; donation is roughly one pint.
• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• Type O is the blood type most often requested by hospitals. 
• AB positive blood donors are universal donors of plasma. 
• A single donation can potentially help more than one patient.
• Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection.

How You Can Help

• Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
• Downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App
• Visiting redcrossblood.org