The Need for Blood

Each month over 14,000 caring people donate blood with LifeShare Blood Centers to assure an adequate supply for patients in area hospitals. Every day in our area patients need 470 units of blood components.

Statistics show that one out of every three people will need a blood transfusion during their lifetime. Last year, numerous patients were helped with more than 178,000 units of blood and blood components from donors for patient’s transfusion needs from over 165,000 donors.

Major Reasons Patients Need Blood

  • Cancer
  • Heart and blood vessel disease
  • Disease of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Emergencies such as car accidents and burns
  • Transplants

Examples

  • Cancer
    up to 8 units/week
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
    1 – 5 units
  • Liver Transplant
    up to 100 units
  • Automobile Accident
    up to 50 units
  • Bleeding Ulcer
    3 – 30 units
  • Sickle Cell
    up to 4 units/month
   LifeShare Donor Centers