January is Blood Donor Month!

We want to recognize Blood Donor Month. President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation on December 31, 1969, declaring every January Blood Donor Month. The purpose of the proclamation is to recognize the volunteers who donate blood and the need for more donors due to the vital necessity of this resource (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies [AABB], 2025). Let’s explore some facts on blood and blood transfusions and why this is such a critical initiative.

Put your blood knowledge🩸 to the test! Think you’ve got the answer? Click the arrow to reveal it and see if you’re right! Learn some fun facts along the way too!

Basics about Blood

Q1: Do you remember the basic components that make-up blood and what they do?

Plasma is the yellowish component of the blood.

1. Approximately 92% of plasma is water, but the remaining amount is made up of albumin, gamma globulins, anti-hemophilic factor, and some vitamins, hormones, mineral salts, sugars, and fats. Plasma's main job is to transport blood cells and nutrients throughout the body.

2. It must be frozen within 24 hours of being donated and used within the year.

3. To kill different viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, the Plasma derivatives are treated with heat and/or solvent detergents.

White Blood Cells, also called leukocytes, are the body's defense against infection.

1. The most abundant white blood cells are neutrophils. However, white blood cells as a whole are not safe to transfuse into another person. 

2. Granulocytes are another type of white cell that helps fight infections. They can be donated but must be transfused within 24 hours after collection. They are commonly given to patients who are not responding to antibiotic therapy. 

Red Blood Cells, also called erythrocytes, give the blood its red color and mainly carry oxygen from the lungs to the body while collecting carbon dioxide to be taken back to the lungs to be exhaled. 

1. RBCs are produced in the bone marrow controlled by erythropoietin, a hormone produced mainly in the kidneys. 

2. RBCs are taken from the whole blood by removing the plasma. You may have transfused leukocyte-reduced RBCs in your patient. This product has had an additional filtration process to remove leukocytes to prevent any further adverse reaction to the person receiving the transfusion. 

3. After donation, they have a shelf life of 42 days or may be frozen for up to 10 years.

Power Red Donation—When you donate at an American Red Cross site, you can ask for the Power Red Donation, which allows you to donate up to two units using a special machine that returns your plasma and platelets to you during the process. To find out more about this process, visit the American Red Cross website.

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Blood Statistics and Blood Needs

Q2: Do you know how much blood is needed yearly in the U.S.?

Blood Facts

1. In the U.S., approximately 29,000 units of RBCs, 5,000 units of platelets, and 6,500 units of plasma are needed every 24 hours.

2. The most common blood type hospitals ask for is type O.

3. Approximately three units are the average RBC transfusion.

4. The second most common procedure performed in the hospital is the transfusion of blood products to patients over the age of 64.

5. “The decline in contributions from individuals aged 16-24 can likely be linked to the limitations placed on blood drives at school campuses in 2021, primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, the rise in contributions from individuals aged 65 and above may suggest that a significant portion of blood donors are advancing in age (p. 7).”

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Patient Population and Blood Transfusions

Q3: A pregnant woman’s body by the 20th week of pregnancy, will have increased her blood volume by 50%. What percentage of women will need a transfusion postpartum?

Facts on Patient Populations and the need for Blood and Blood Products

1. Cancer patients account for more than a quarter of the needed blood products.

2. More than 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease and may require 100 units of blood each year. 

3. Within the first hour that a trauma patient arrives at a trauma center, the most common cause of death is hemorrhage, and approximately 3% of trauma victims will require mass transfusion.

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Final Question on Blood Donation Month

Q4: If it took you about 10 minutes to read this post, how many people needed a blood or platelet transfusion during that time?

As nurses, we recognize the life-saving importance of blood products for our patients. These invaluable resources are essential in treating a variety of patients, such as those from traumas, chronic illnesses, and cancer, often making the difference between life and death. Patients and healthcare workers should not need to worry about whether there is enough blood supply to treat each situation adequately. 

We can support this critical cause by donating blood and raising awareness about the significance of Blood Donation Month. Educating the public about the ongoing need for donations helps ensure a steady supply of blood and platelets, which cannot be manufactured — human generosity is the only source. Donating just one unit of blood takes only 45 to 60 minutes and can be separated into multiple components to save several lives. None of us know when we or someone we love might require a transfusion. Let’s support this life-saving initiative in any way we can.

Here are a Few More Fun Facts about Blood!

Check out this website to see if your blood type matches your personality: https://motto-jp.com/media/lifestyle/blood-type-personality-in-japan-a-guide/.

Check out the infographic from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion website. They have a cool infographic counting how much blood the country has on hand: https://www.scotblood.co.uk/news/fun-blood-facts/.

References

Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies. (2025). National blood donor month. AABB. https://www.aabb.org/for-donors-patients/national-blood-donor-month

Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. (2025). Give blood. https://www.scotblood.co.uk/news/fun-blood-facts/

The American National Red Cross. (2025). US blood supply facts. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html

The Association for Blood Donor Professionals. (2024). U.S. blood donation statistics and public messaging guide. ADRP. https://americasblood.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/U.S.-Blood-Donation-Statistics-and-Public-Messaging-Guide-Jan.-2024.pdf