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Secretary Thompson's Blood Donation Challenge - Give Thanks! Give Life! Give Twice!  


Blood Donation Facts


Safety
  • Anyone in good health, 17 years or older (16 in California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, and Washington) and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood every 56 days (or two months).
  • The entire process of donating blood takes less than one hour (about 45 minutes).
  • You cannot catch HIV/AIDS or other communicable diseases by donating blood.
  • After blood is drawn, it is tested for blood type and any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that could cause a blood transfusion reaction. Each pint of blood is also tested for evidence of donor infection with hepatitis viruses B and C, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) 1 and 2, human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) I and II and syphilis.

Need

  • Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used in the US every day (one every 2.7 seconds -- three gallons every minute).
  • Sixty percent of the US population is eligible to donate blood, but only 5 percent donates regularly.
  • Through voluntary donation, everyday heroes across America give life-saving blood that helps 4.5 million patients each year.
  • The average red blood cell transfusion is 3.4 pints (requiring four donors).
  • Individuals with serious injuries from a major automobile accident can require 50 units (pints) of blood or more. Seriously burned patients can require 20 units or more.
  • The components of one pint of donated blood can help the lives of three people.
  • Donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection. Platelets within 5 days. Plasma can be frozen for up to 1 year.

Secretary's Blood Donation Challenge | Questions & Answers | First-Time Donor | You May Not be Able to Donate | How-To Links