The Red Cross does not need blood, patients do.  The Red Cross Blood Services exist for the sole purpose of collecting, processing and distributing blood to those needing it every day.

All blood donated in the St. Louis Bi-State Region is given by volunteers, who do not accept payment for their donations.  This blood is much less likely to transmit hepatitis or any other disease to a recipient.

97.6% of people who live to be 72 will require some type of blood transfusion or blood product in their lifetime (J. Garrott Allen, M.D., Professor of Surgery at Stanford Medical Center).  Blood is a people product without substitute.

Every minute more than 25 units of blood or specialized blood components are transfused.  That totals over 1.5 million units transfused in the United States each year.

Platelets are blood cells that help blood clot.  They are given to patients with bleeding problems due to a low platelet count.  Platelets are collected by an exceptional type of donation called Pheresis.  A Pheresis procedure takes 2 hours and my only be performed at the Red Cross Blood Centers.  Blood is drawn from the arm, passed through a blood separating instrument where a needed component is removed (such as platelets).  The rest of the blood is remixed and given back to the donor.  250-400 cc's of blood are processed at a time and the non-selected blood components return to the donor.  Diseases often requiring platelets are aplastic anemia, leukemia and cancers.  Platelets are used during procedures such as open hear surgery.  Platelets must be used within 5 days of donation.

A leukemia patient could require 30-40 units of platelets a week during hospitalization.

A single blood donation may help anywhere from 1 to 4 patients through use of component therapy.

Whole Blood is rarely ordered for patients.  More often, physicians order component parts of the blood.  The main components are red cells, platelets, plasma and plasma derivatives.

Red Cells are used in surgery, treatment of severe anemia and internal bleeding and have a shelf life of 42 days.

Fresh Frozen Plasma is used for the treatment of coagulation problems and burns.

Cryoprecipitate is a plasma component used in treating patients who lack some clotting factors.

Plasma derivatives also include serum albumin and plasma protein factor which are used to treat shock and burns.  Other plasma derivatives are used to treat clotting factor deficiencies.

The need for blood increases yearly because:

1. Over half the blood transfused is given to surgical patients.  Currently, the rate of elective (non-emergency) surgery is increasing at a greater rate than the population is growing.
2. Some modern cardiac surgery, such as coronary bypass, require large amounts of blood per operation.
3. Platelets are generally in great demand.  We can now provide a safer platelet product.

All types of blood blood must be collected every day, yet Type O donations are needed in greater proportions, due to their prevalence in the population.  Also, Type O blood can be used in a more diversified manner therapeutically.

The goal of the St. Louis Bi-State Region is to meet patient needs within the 119 counties and 130 hospitals that we provide blood for by collecting over 1,000 units of blood per day.

Blood Type Statistics

Following donating, each unit of blood is processed and tested before being shipped to hospitals.  Tests are made of ABO and RH as well as additional tests including:  Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, AIDS, Syphilis and other viruses.

The American Red Cross charges hospitals a processing fee to cover the costs involved in collecting, testing and distributing blood and blood products.  The hospitals pass this charge on to patients and add charges for typing, cross matching and administration.  These charges are generally covered by medical insurance.  The Red Cross Blood Services must be financially self-supporting.  It is a non-subsidized and non-profit service.

The average person has between 10 to 12 pints of blood.  In donating whole blood, a little less than one pint is taken.  The body replaces the fluid loss within 24 hours and the red cells within 4 to 6 weeks.  A person can donate every 56 days.  Pheresis donors may donate more often.

Blood is needed 365 days a year and is only available when medically eligible donors take the time to give.  80% of the general public are eligible to donate however, only 4-5% of the population donates annually.

Reasons the American Red Cross defers donors often changes.  Often times medications are not the reason donors are deferred.  Always call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE for updated eligibility requirements.

In order to donate blood you must:

1. Be at least 17 years old in Missouri and 16 years old in Illinois, but there is no upper age limit
2. Weigh at least 110 pounds
3. Be in good general health
4. Feel well the day of donation

This page is created by Joseph A. Forrester of Phi Gamma Nu.
Copyright © 1999 [EIU Blood Drive Committee]. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 15, 2000 .