Tattnall County High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) hosted a blood drive on November 7th, 2022. Forty-two pints of blood were collected, exceeding the goal of 33 pints. Through FBLA, there have been a total of 18 Red Cross blood drives with 1,134 pints collected. The average units collected are 63.
Facts About Blood Needs
- Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
- Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.
- Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
- Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
- Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
- The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
- A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
- Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
- The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
- One donation can help save more than one life.
- According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. But supply cannot always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps meet patient needs. FBLA has scheduled a blood drive at Tattnall County High School on February 9, 2023 from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. There are 45 appointments currently available with a goal of 32 pints of blood. We would love to exceed our goal yet again! If you would like to sign up, head to redcrossblood.org for more information.
Pictured: Nikole McFarlane was a first time donor.
