Our Donors Save Lives
Every five minutes, someone in the Tri-State area needs blood.
Hoxworth Blood Center is appealing to you as we are in the midst of a national blood shortage brought on by the outbreak of COVID19 (coronavirus). We need all eligible blood donors to schedule a donation at their earliest convenience. As a reminder, blood donation is a safe, sterile process and there is no risk of contracting the virus by donating blood.
And donors like you are the reason that we are able to provide our local hospitals with lifesaving blood products. The time you spent donating blood means that a patient in a local area hospital was given more time—time to celebrate another birthday, time to spend with family, and time to enjoy life.
It’s amazing how an hour or two of donating blood could mean years for someone else. That’s why we want to thank you for making the time to donate with us. Every donation we receive is processed within three days and sent to a local hospital where it will be available to a trauma victim, a cancer patient, a transplant recipient, or any other person who need a lifesaving transfusion.
Additionally, donors can accumulate rewards just by being generous!
Why Are Blood Donors So Important to the Community?
Each day, Hoxworth Blood Center needs to collect at least 450 units of blood and 40 units of apheresis platelets to meet the needs of patients in the Tri-State area. Once testing and processing is complete, the units are dispersed to over 30 area hospitals served by Hoxworth, where they are transfused to patients with a variety of medical needs.
The rarest blood type is the one NOT on the shelf when it is needed. Therefore, we need blood donors of ALL blood types to make regular donations so that we can ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for the communities we serve.
| Examples of Blood Use | Needed Donations |
|---|---|
| Auto Accident/Trauma | 5 - 100 red cell donations |
| Heart Surgery | 3 - 8 red cell donations, 1 - 10 platelet donations |
| Cancer Patients | 3 - 10 red cell donations 5 - 15 platelet donations |
| Organ and Bone Marrow Transplant | 10 - 30 red cell donations 50 - 100 platelet donations |
| Burn Patients | 10 - 20 platelet donations |
What is the Rarest Blood Type?
O negative is known as the Universal Donor, making up 7% of all individuals. In emergency situations, O negative red cells can be given to people with any blood type. Individuals who are AB positive can receive any type of red cells.
The chart below identifies percentages of the four main types of blood within the general population.
| Blood Group | Population Percentage | Rh Positive Percentage | Rh Negative Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| O | 45% | 38% | 7% |
| A | 40% | 34% | 6% |
| B | 11% | 9% | 2% |
| AB | 4% | 3% | 1% |
What Should I Donate Based On My Blood Type?
Giving the “right type” of donation helps ensure the best use of your valuable contribution. Depending on your blood type, you may be asked to donate whole blood, red cells, platelets or even white cells! There are different types of donations you can give, but the best donation process for each individual will vary based on their blood type, physical characteristics, and the demand for blood products on a particular day.
We suggest you consider the following donation type based on your blood type, patient need and other factors. Please ask our staff what donation type would be most beneficial to the patients in our community.
| Blood Component | Blood Type |
|---|---|
| Platelets | A, AB |
| Whole Blood, Red Cells | O, B |
| Plasma | A, AB |
Our Donors Save Lives
Blood recipients, Taryn and King Walker
Taryn and King Walker were diagnosed with Sickle-Cell Disease and have relied heavily on local blood donors since they were babies. Taryn and King receive blood transfusions every four to six weeks.
“For them to excel in this world, they need blood donations,” says Charmelle Walker, mother of Taryn and King. “There is no cure for sickle cell disease, and without blood donors, I don’t know if they would be alive.”
Blood recipient, Heather Bennett
"Without a doubt, if I was unable to receive the blood that my body needed, I would not be here today," says Heather Bennett, who survived a traumatic birthing experience and catastrophic hemorrhaging. "I am so thankful that there are amazing, selfless, lifesaving heroes out there that are willing to donate their blood. Without these donations, I wouldn't be here to celebrate life's many tiny miracles. I wouldn't be here to celebrate Christmas with my kids, to bake their cupcakes and celebrate their birthdays, to go school shopping with them, help with their homework, or to tuck them into bed. I wouldn't be here to watch them grow. Because of the unsung heroes that donate their blood, I get to do all of these things."
Donors like you are the reason that patients like Taryn, King, & Heather are still enjoying their lives. Read more about recipients' stories.