1.      Some anemic patients require blood transfusions to increase their iron levels.

2.      People who have been in car accidents and have suffered massive blood loss may require transfusions of 50 units or more of red blood cells

3.      Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins, and salts.

4.      Plasma, which is 90 percent water, constitutes 55 percent of blood volume.

5.      Plasma helps maintain blood pressure, carries blood cells, nutrients, enzymes, and hormones, and supplies critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity

6.      Platelets are small blood cells that help control bleeding.

7.      Cancer, transplant, trauma, and open-heart surgery patients require platelet transfusions to survive.

8.      White blood cells are the body's primary defense against infection.

9.      There is no substitute for human blood.

10.  Much of today's medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.

11.  Volunteers provide nearly all of the nation's blood supply for transfusion.

12.  Every three seconds someone needs blood.

13.  Blood centers often run short of type O and B blood.

14.  Shortages of all types of blood often occur during the summer and winter holidays.

15.  If all blood donors gave at least twice a year, it would greatly strengthen the nation's blood supply.

16.  Anyone who is in good health is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 50 Kgs may donate blood every 56 days.

17.  Blood donation takes four steps: medical history, quick physical, donation, and snacks.

18.  The actual blood collection takes approximately 5-10 minutes. The entire process, from when you sign in to the time you leaves, takes about 45 minutes to one hour.

19.  Giving blood will not decrease your strength.

20.  Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may contact their local blood centers to host blood drives.

21.  Apheresis is a special kind of blood donation that allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as Platelets.

22.  You cannot get AIDS or any other blood disease by donating blood.

23.  A heart surgery uses an average of six units of red blood cells and six units of platelets.

24.  The average liver transplant patient needs 40 units of red blood cells, 30 units of platelets, 20 bags of cryoprecipitate, and 25 units of fresh frozen plasma.

25.  The average bone marrow transplant requires 120 units of platelets and about 20 units of red blood cells.

26.  Severe burn victims can need 20 units of platelets during their treatment.

27.  Children being treated for cancer, premature infants, and children having heart surgery need blood and Platelets from donors of all types.

28.  If you began donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56 days until you reached 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood.

29.  One out of every 10 people entering a hospital needs blood.

30.  The average red blood cell transfusion is 3.4 units.

31.  Females receive 53% of blood transfused; males receive 47%.