Blood Uses

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a transfusion of donated blood .

Blood transfusions are used to treat accident victims, organ and marrow transplant recipients, cancer and heart surgery patients and those with blood-related diseases like sickle cell anemia.

Your blood donation and its component parts help to save and enhance the lives of patients in our community and beyond. Here's how:

• Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood and is used to treat patients with severe burns and clotting disorders.
• Platelets are essential for blood clotting and are routinely needed to support cancer therapy, open-heart surgery, blood disorders and organ transplants.
• Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body and are needed most after significant blood loss through trauma or for patients undergoing surgery or experiencing anemia.