» There is no substitute for human Blood

» Blood makes up about 7% of your body's weight.

» An average adult has about 14 to 18 pints of Blood.

» One standard unit or pint of Blood equals about two cups.

» Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the body.

» Blood carries carbon dioxide and other waste products back to the lungs, kidneys and liver for disposal.

» Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds.

» One unit of donated whole Blood is separated into components before use (red Blood cells, white Blood cells, plasma, platelets, etc.)

» There are four main Blood types: A, B, AB and O.

» Each Blood type is either Rh positive or negative.

» There are about one billion red Blood cells in a few drops of whole Blood.

» Red Blood cells live about 120 days in our bodies.

» Red Blood cells can be stored under normal conditions for up to 42 days.

» Frozen red Blood cells can be stored for ten years, and more.

» Platelets must be used within five days.

» Platelets are small Blood cells that assist in the process of Blood clotting helping those with leukemia and other cancers, controlling bleeding.

» Plasma, the fourth major component of Blood, is a sticky, pale yellow fluid mixture of water, protein and salts. It is 95% water. The other 5% is made up of nutrients, proteins and hormones.

» Blood Plasma constitutes 55% of the volume of human Blood.

» Plasma helps maintain Blood pressure, carries Blood cells, nutrients, enzymes and hormones, and supplies critical proteins for Blood clotting and immunity.

» Type AB plasma has been considered as the universal Blood plasma type, and therefore AB plasma is given to patients with any Blood type.

» Frozen Plasma can be stored for up to one year.

» Human Blood; red Blood cells, white Blood cells, plasma and platelets are made naturally by the body in the bone marrow.