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Blood is essential to life. When patients need blood, they depend on your donation. Blood transports nutrients and defense antibodies, cells and clotting factors. Red blood cells deliver and release oxygen throughout the body. There is no substitute for human blood. The average adult's body contains 10-12 pints of blood, but a donation of just one pint of blood can be separated into various components and used to help three patients!
Blood donations are needed constantly. For donors, giving the gift of life is simple and can mean the difference between life and death for a critically ill patient. If you are 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health, you can donate a unit of blood as often as every eight weeks. With a signed permission slip, you can donate at age 16. Donating is quick and easy – you register, get a quick health assessment, donate and then take refreshment at the canteen. The whole process usually takes less than an hour, especially if you’ve booked an appointment beforehand.
In FY09, blood collections in Tompkins County was up from last year. 7135 units of blood were collected which represents 445 additional pints more than last year. Since the Red Cross calculates that each pint of blood collected can be used to help three patients, theoretically, the 7135 pints collected last year were used to save or better the lives of 21,405 people throughout the New York-Pennsylvania region.
For more information on national American Red Cross Blood Services,
visit American Red Cross Biomedical Services
For more information on the local Blood Services Region or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit the New York-Penn Blood Services Region
Click here for information about becoming a Blood Services Volunteer
