droplet

31,000 pints of blood are used every day.

Our nation’s blood supply must cover every day needs. Blood must also be immediately available on the shelf for unexpected emergencies and disasters. It has a short shelf life span, and must be constantly replenished year-round to ensure availability whenever and wherever it is needed.

Most blood products are used for people being treated for:

  • cancers
  • organ and bone marrow transplants
  • inherited blood disorders
  • orthopedic surgeries
  • cardiovascular surgeries

Every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood product.

It’s the blood already on the shelf that saves lives.

Major disasters and mass casualty events do not usually require large amounts of blood, 200-400 units which is typically already on hospitals’ or blood centers’ shelves to save lives.

Most blood centers see the greatest outpouring of support from donors during disasters, but blood is needed every day.

It takes 24-48 hours to process and prepare a unit of blood for use. You can help blood centers fill every request for blood by making sure it is available before it's needed. Donate today!

Find a Blood Center