Facts About Donating Blood

• Blood is used daily for all types of operations, accident victims, acute burn victims, cancer patients (ex. Leukemia), and for those with catastrophic diseases such as hemophilia.

• There is no substitute for human blood.  Blood cannot be manufactured or harvested.

• TBA needs to collect more than 350 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of our local hospitals and medical facilities.

• Blood shortages occur more often during the summer and holidays.  During these periods, usage increases and at the same time donations decrease.

• One pint of blood can be separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, and can save up to three lives.

• One out of three people will need donated blood in their lifetime.

• Sixty percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet only 5% of eligible donors do (3% of the entire population).

• Every 8 minutes someone in our community needs a blood transfusion.

• Every 2 ½ seconds someone in our country needs blood.

• 4.5 million Americans would die each year without lifesaving blood transfusions.

• The shelf life of human blood is 42 days, and platelets only 5 days, so constant replenishment is imperative.

• Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, platelets every 2 weeks, and plasma every 4 weeks.

• The average adult body has between 10 and 12 pints of blood.  After 1 pint is donated, the body replaces the fluid portion within 24 hours, the platelets within 2 days, and the red blood cells within 56 days.

• Anyone in good health, at least 17 years of age, and weighing at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days (as long as they are not deferred for another reason).

• The blood donation process takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour to complete, and includes:
• Registration
• Medical History
• Mini Physical
• Drawing of the Blood (7 – 10 minutes)
• Snacks & Refreshments

• A person cannot contract HIV/AIDS from donating blood.  Sterile, disposable needles and supplies are used only once and are safely discarded after each donation.

• TBA is a non-profit organization with a 100% volunteer blood donor system, the safest source of human blood.  The current blood supply is the safest it has ever been.

*See our "Downloads" section for more blood donation facts.