Facts About Blood Donation

Did you know that...

• One pint of donated blood can help save THREE lives.
• In the U.S., approximately 43,000 pints of blood are transfused each day.
• All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases.
• Blood donation is a four-step process: registration, medical history and mini history, donation and refreshments.
• A healthy blood donor may donate blood every 56 days.
• The most common blood type requested is Type O.
• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• Each year, more than 4.5 million lives are saved by blood transfusions.
• About one in five people admitted to the hospital will need blood.
• Sixty percent of New Jersey residents are eligible to donate blood, yet only 3.6 percent donate on a routine basis.
• Cancer patients, trauma patients and those undergoing open-heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive.
• Blood is made up of more than 200 known substances, but its four main components are: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.
• Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.
• The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes.
• The entire process takes about an hour.
• The average adult has about 10 to 12 pints of blood in his or her body.
• Roughly one pint is given during a donation.
• To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 lb and be in good health (16-year-olds may donate with written parental consent and weigh at least 120 lb).
• The average blood donor gives about twice a year.

Save a Life. Donate Blood Today.
To schedule an appointment, visit rwjuhdonorclub.org or call (732) 235-8100, ext. 221 or 248.

Please bring a valid photo ID and remember to eat and drink before donating.