Blood banks collect and store blood so hospitals and emergency personnel can give sick or injured people blood transfusions. The blood comes from donors, most of whom are volunteers. The blood bank staff tests the blood for type and makes sure it has no diseases or complications that could harm recipients. The staff then breaks the blood down into its components, each of which serves a particular purpose in the body.
Blood Components
Several components make up human blood. Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. Platelets give blood its ability to clot, which helps wounds heal. White blood cells fight infections. Plasma is the watery liquid in which the other components are suspended. Plasma has other functions, such as maintaining blood pressure, providing proteins that aid clotting and balancing sodium and potassium levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Blood banks collect, sort and store the different components so that medical staff can use them to help sick or injured patients.
The Need for Blood
Every day in the United States, hospitals and emergency responders use approximately 40,000 units of blood, according to the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). Patients who require blood include accident and trauma victims, organ transplant recipients and people with certain diseases, such as cancer. The association says the demand for blood is likely to increase in the future, due to an aging population and advances in medical procedures.
Who Can Donate
The AABB provides the following eligibility criteria for being a volunteer blood donor: You must be at least 16 years of age, healthy, at least 110 lbs. and pass a physical and health history examination. These requirements might vary among states. Numerous criteria can disqualify a potential donor. For example, if you stayed in the United Kingdom for more than three months during 1980 to 1996, you should not give blood, according to AABB. Other disqualifying criteria include infection with certain diseases, past intravenous drug use and certain risk factors associated with sexual history.
How You Can Donate
Blood drives occur at many locations, including schools, houses of worship and community events. Other alternatives include hospitals and blood centers. AABB provides an online locator to help donors find a nearby blood bank. Contact a blood bank directly to ensure you meet its qualifying criteria.
