If you have recently given blood, you may be wondering about blood donation statistics.  Is what you did worth it?  Let me tell you that after spending seven years working in an emergency room it is.  Every time you give blood, you can assure yourself that you just saved a life.  Here are some blood donation statistics from the Red Cross to reassure you.

• Someone somewhere in the U.S. needs blood every 2 seconds
• A red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is usually three pints
• To keep up with demand, we would need 38,000 blood donations every day
• The most common blood type is O
• In the US, 16 million donations are collected every year
• There are typically 9.5 million U.S. donors in a year
• Only 38% of U.S. are able to give blood
• 5 million U.S. patients will need blood.
• People with O negative blood type is in high demand but usually short.  It can be given to all blood types
• AB positive plasma is also in high demand as it can be given to all blood types

If you haven't given blood before and are considering it, you may be a little worried.  Here are some facts about the donation process to reassure you that everything will be okay.

• All blood draws are done using a sterile needle and always done by a professional.
• The donation process is very easy.  You fill out paperwork (registration and medical history), get a small physical, donate blood and then have some juice and cookies.
• Donation takes around 10-12 minutes.  You are usually there for an hour total.
• You give around a pint of blood during a donation
• You can give RBCs every 56 days.
• You can give platelets every 7 days up to 24 times in a year.
• All of your information is confidential.

Now you that know some blood donation statistics, I hope that you're consider donating blood.  It is one of the most compassionate things that you will be able to do for another human being and it won't cost you anything.  After spending time in an emergency room, I can tell you that we gave blood to someone every single week.  Whether it be a car accident victim or a sick cell patient, someone out there will be thanking you for your anonymous kindness.