LEARN ABOUT
BLOOD AND PLASMA DONATION
You have an opportunity to support your country during these unprecedented times.
- Blood and plasma centers are open, and donating is a safe process.
- Many people in your community require an urgent blood transfusion simply to survive.
DID YOU KNOW…
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1 blood donation can help up to 3 people.1
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1200 plasma donations to treat one patient for hemophilia.6
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Donating blood can help millions each year — not just for use in emergencies, but also long-term treatments.2
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In low-income countries, up to 54% of blood transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age.3
- 234 million major operations are performed worldwide, which may involve blood transfusions.2
- It takes more than 130 plasma donations to treat one patient with a primary immune deficiency.6
- Blood has a short shelf life. Red blood cells can be stored for just 42 days, and platelets can be stored for only 5 days.1
- Blood cannot be artificially made, and there are no substitutes for blood or platelets.1,5
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HOW LONG WILL MY BODY TAKE TO REPLACE WHAT WAS DONATED?
Plasma is replaced within 24 hours. Red cells can take four to six weeks to fully return to normal.4
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IS IT SAFE TO GIVE BLOOD AND PLASMA?
Donating blood is a safe process. Blood is collected through a new sterile needle that is used once and then discarded.4
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HOW CAN ONE DONATION HELP MULTIPLE PEOPLE?
One pint of blood can help multiple people since the different components of blood provide various uses for patients.1,5
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WHAT IS PLASMA?
Plasma is the clear, straw-colored liquid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed. It is the single largest component of human blood, comprising about 55 percent, and contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies and other proteins.7
- KEY USES5,8
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WHOLE BLOOD
Trauma and surgery
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RED CELLS
Trauma, surgery, anemia, any blood loss and blood disorders(e.g., sickle cell)
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PLATELETS
Cancer treatments, organ transplants, and surgery
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PLASMA
Burn patients, shock, and bleeding disorders
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CRYOPRECIPITATED
ANTIHEMOPHILIC
FACTOR(CRYO)Hemophilia and a common inherited clotting disorder (Von Willebrand disease)
- American Red Cross – Blood Services: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html
- Towards 100% voluntary blood donation: A global framework for action. World Health Organization. Towards 100% voluntary blood donation.pdf
- Blood Safety and availability – Fact sheet 279. Website: www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs279/en/
- Donating blood: Donation FAQs. American Red Cross. Website: https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html
- Learn about blood: Blood components. American Red Cross. Website: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help.html
- https://www.pptaglobal.org/plasma-protein-therapies
- https://www.pptaglobal.org/plasma
- https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations.html