General Blood Facts

• In the United States, a blood transfusion is needed about every two seconds.
• About 15 million units of whole blood are donated in the United States each year.
• Only approximately 5 percent of the population in the United States donates blood, though 50 percent of the population is eligible.
• Each blood donation may help save the life of more than one person.
• On any given day, an average of 38,000 units of red blood cells are needed for patients in the United States.
• The amount of blood needed for surgeries and life threatening conditions varies widely. Surgeries often can require up to 10 units, while a victim of a car accident could require up to 40 units of red blood cells.
• The average body has between 10 and 12 pints of blood.
• You typically give one pint of blood when you donate.
• Donating blood takes about one hour.
• Because blood can be split into different components, one donation can be transfused into three people.

Learn more about the blood donation process.

Learn about blood donation eligibility requirements.

FAQs about donating blood.

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