Giving blood is probably one of the most powerful acts of  “paying it forward” that you can do. It gives us an opportunity to save the lives of up to three people we will probably never meet. And the hope is that the recipient or others close to them will pay it forward to save other lives.

Unfortunately, less than 38 percent of Americans are considered acceptable blood donors and that number is expected to decline over the next decade. In the U.S., many communities are already experiencing blood shortages in winter months, especially around the holidays. And it’s not uncommon for hospitals to delay or cancel procedures for lack of blood components. As with most developed countries, the need is constant and growing, but the supply is shrinking:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. (2006). The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
• Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98 percent of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

If you have Type O-negative blood, your blood is always in great demand and often in short supply as the red cell components can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Type O-negative blood is often used in emergencies before the patient's blood type is known and with newborns that need blood. Type AB-positive plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types and is also usually in short supply.

For those that can give blood, the process only takes about 15 minutes--and 1 pint of blood. A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as every seven days or red blood cells every 56 days. Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets. The body will replenish the elements given during a blood donation – some in a matter of hours and others in a matter of weeks.

To learn more about giving blood or to find out if you are eligible, visit the American Association of Blood Banks FAQ page for more information.

If you can share the gift of life, we hope you’ll consider, rolling up your sleeves and paying it forward.

Sources:

World Health Organization

American Red Cross

University of Minnesota