National Blood Donor Week 2019

National Blood Donor Week 2019

This week is National Blood Donor Week. This week is meant to raise awareness for those who need blood transfusions, and for people to donate blood. Blood is a resource that can only be produced by humans. Some artificial blood has been in development, but it doesn’t function as blood produced by humans does. Click to read more about blood donation and how it is useful in healthcare.

What is Blood Made Out Of?

Blood is comprised of a few different parts including hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that allows for oxygen to be carried to all the organs that utilize it. White blood cells fight infections and are a large part of the immune system. Plasma is the liquid part that carries all of these cells to different parts of the body.

Why Should We Donate Blood?

We should donate blood, and blood tissues because blood is incredibly hard to make, and artificial blood does not work as well as real blood. Through organizations such as the American Red Cross, and likely local hospitals, you can find out times to donate blood, bone marrow, or even how to become a registered organ donor. One blood donation can save up to 4 lives. There is a man who had an agent in his blood that helped to cure Rhesus disease. He had donated blood once a week for almost 60 years.

Fun Facts About Blood

• Over 4 million people a year need a blood transfusion
• Since the AIDS Epidemic, all blood is now tested before a donor receives it
• Plasma is mostly water
• The universal donor is people with Type O blood
• People with AB Blood are the universal receivers
• The average adult body holds 10 pints of blood

Final Thoughts

Do you donate blood? After this post are you convinced that you should donate blood or tissues? Are you a registered organ donor? Comment below if you know of someone who has had their life saved by organ or tissue donations!