Blood: General Information and Statistics

What does blood do?

• Blood carries oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide and other waste products back to the lungs, kidneys and liver for disposal.
• Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds, keeping you healthy.
• An average adult body contains approximately 10 to 12 pints of blood.
• One pint of whole blood can be separated into several components (red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate).

• A single, whole blood donation can save the lives of three people.

Who needs blood?

• Car accident victims and those who have suffered massive blood loss can often need transfusions of 50 pints or more of red blood cells.
• Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, as well as people undergoing certain operations, require platelet transfusions to survive.
• Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types.

Become a blood donor today. Please call (225) 765-8843 to learn more.