Let’s Paint the World Red

Kudos to all blood donors.  Today is World Blood Donors Day!

Around 92 million blood donations are collected annually from
all types of blood donors (voluntary unpaid, family/replacement and paid). Approximately half of these blood donations are collected in high-income countries, home to 15% of the world’s population.

There are three types of blood donors: voluntary unpaid; family/replacement and paid. Voluntary unpaid blood donors are vital for ensuring a sufficient, stable blood supply.  Kudos to you all!

World wide, the greatest number of donors are younger than 25 year of age  (45% of all donors).  This isn’t the case in the United States.   Here those younger than 25 make up only 22% of all donors.  The age group with the greatest percentage of donors in the U. S. is  the group of  45 to 65 year olds (40%).

World wide, women make up only 40% of all donors.  In the U.S., the division is almost equal:  49.9% men/ 50.1% women.

……

The American Red Cross states every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.  More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.  Because blood can not be manufactured, it take blood donors.

All blood types are needed, but types O-negative, A-negative and B-negative are needed most.

So “let’s paint the world red.”  The world needs new and repeat blood donors to give blood.  Blood is the “gift of life.”

General Guidelines About Blood Donation

You must be healthy and be at least 17 years old. You must weigh at least 110 pounds. "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. Just because you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure does not mean you are un-eligible to donate. "Healthy" in light of a chronic condition means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.

Other aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count (hemoglobin or hematocrit) are measured.

To learn more blood donation opportunities, visit www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

Related posts:
The Gift of Life (November 18, 2007)
Give Blood -- It's the Gift of Life  (August 1, 2009)