AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DONATION STATISTICS

  • The desire to donate blood surged in fiscal year 2002 (June 2001 - July 2002).
    • The first half of FY02 was marked by the outpouring of patriotism stemming from September 11 events. In September 2001 alone, more than 900,000 people came to give blood at a Red Cross blood drive - 46 percent more than during the previous September.
    • By the end of the fiscal year, 7 percent more donors came to the Red Cross to donate blood than in FY01.

  • The Red Cross collected more whole blood donations than expected in FY02.
    • The Red Cross collected almost 6.8 million units of whole blood in fiscal year 2002 (FY02), a 6.5 percent growth rate increase over the prior year and 2 percent more than forecasted.
      • 31 of 35 Blood Services Regions collected more blood in FY02 than they did in FY01.
      • 21 Blood Services Regions grew in excess of 5 percent.
    • In September alone, the Red Cross collected 40 percent more than was forecasted.
    • Red Cross blood donations increased 21 percent in the past five years. (5.6 million donations in FY97 compared to 6.8 million in FY02.)
      • The number of Red Cross blood donors has also increased 21 percent in the past five years. (3.6 million blood donors in FY97 compared to 4.3 million donors in FY02.)

        Fiscal Year

        Whole Blood Donors

        Whole Blood Donations

        1997

        3,565,719

        5,626,689

        1998

        3,729,937

        5,907,711

        1999

        3,811,845

        6,107,330

        2000

        3,845,638

        6,279,839

        2001

        3,942,769

        6,377,292

        2002

        4,308,435

        6,789,097

      • Donors had at least one successful donation that year

  • The Red Cross continues to distribute more blood to hospitals than in previous years.
    • The American Red Cross distributed 2 percent more blood in FY02 than in FY01.

  • FY03 FORECAST:
    • Although the Red Cross collected more than expected in FY02, more blood is needed every day.
      • Blood is perishable; our FY02 success does not guarantee supply today.
      • Increased demand coupled with more stringent eligibility guidelines makes it more difficult than ever to ensure that blood is available for every patient.
    • Therefore, the American Red Cross has set a collections goal of 6.8 million units for FY03 and expects a 2-3 percent annual growth rate in collection for the foreseeable future.