Friday, May 11, 2007

Needing Blood

Needing Blood

Most of us will require a blood transfusion at some point in our lives. Blood Centers of the Pacific provides needed blood for a population of more than 2.2 million. To do this, BCP needs approximately 450 units of blood each weekday.

In order to assure that patients who need blood can have access to it immediately, there must be a ready supply on hospital shelves. After natural disasters and other tragedies, people tend to donate more blood. However, it is the people who donate regularly whose blood saves lives during emergency situations because it is there waiting on the hospital shelves.

Major Reasons Patients Need Blood
  • Cancer
  • Heart and blood vessel disease
  • Disease of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Emergencies such as car accidents and burns

Examples

  • Heart Surgery

6 units of blood

6 units of platelets

  • Organ Transplant

40 units of blood

30 units of platelets

20 bags of cryoprecipitate

25 units of fresh frozen plasma

  • Marrow Transplant

120 units of platelets

20 units of blood

  • Auto Accident/InjuriesVictims

have used anywhere from one to 100 units of blood.

  • Blood Disorders such as Anemia and Hemophilia

People with blood diseases can use hundreds of units of blood throughout their lives.

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