Facts About Blood
| Blood Type | % of Population with this Type | Who Can Receive this Type |
|---|---|---|
| 0+ | 37.4 | 0+, A+, B+, AB+ |
| 0- | 6.6 | All Blood Types |
| A+ | 35.8 | A+, AB+ |
| A- | 6.3 | A+, A-, AB+, AB- |
| B+ | 8.5 | B+, AB+ |
| B- | 1.5 | B+, B-, AB+, AB- |
| AB+ | 3.4 | AB+ |
| AB- | .6 | AB+, AB- |
About 14 million units of blood are donated in the United States each year by about eight million volunteer blood donors. These units are transfused to as many as four million patients per year.
Typically, each donated unit of whole blood is separated into multiple components, such as red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Each component is then transfused to different individuals, each with different needs.
Nationally, the need for blood is great -- on any given day, about 40,000 units of red blood cells are needed. Accident victims, people undergoing surgery and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, all need blood. More than 23 million units of blood components are transfused every year in the United States.
Red Blood Cells
... carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells and bring carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled. Red cells are the most commonly transfused component, and are used by accident victims, patients with ulcers and patients undergoing surgery.
White Blood Cells
... protect the body against infection and disease, fight bacteria and help the body develop immunity to disease.
Platelets
... are colorless cells which control bleeding by helping the blood clotting process. They are most commonly used to help patients receiving treatment for cancer or leukemia.
Plasma
... is the liquid portion of the blood which transports water and nutrients to the rest of the body. It makes up about 55 percent of the total blood volume, and is used to treat clotting disorders, burn victims and shock.