 Blood Drive
(Santa Fe Springs) Everybody has it. Everybody needs it. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, and carries carbon dioxide and other waste products back to the lungs, kidneys and liver for disposal. It fights against infection and helps heal wounds, so we can stay healthy. More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada. That’s about one person every two seconds, yet currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood.
For the last 5 years Coaster has partnered with the local chapter of the Red Cross to help “give the gift of life.” On January 30, 2009, the blood mobile came to Coaster. From 9:00am to 3:00pm employees could donate blood at work while on the clock. Over the last year Coaster employee donations have increased 133%, and have helped save the lives of hundreds of people. Great job Coaster.
It’s not uncommon to have questions about blood donation. What most people don’t realize is how simple it really is. The entire process of donating blood takes less than an hour, and afterwards, the donors get to enjoy cookies, pretzels, juice, and bottled water provided by the Red Cross. If you wanted to donate blood but missed this opportunity, the Red Cross will back at Coaster in the Summer.
Interesting Blood Donation Fact
Less than 5 percent of healthy Americans eligible to donate blood, actually do so. According to studies, the average donor is a college-educated white male, between the ages of 30 and 50, who is married and has an above-average income. However, a broad cross-section of the population donates every day. Furthermore, these “average” statistics are changing, and women and minority groups are volunteering to donate in increasing numbers.
What is the most common blood type?
The approximate distribution of blood types in the US population is as follows. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups:
O Rh-positive
38 percent
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B Rh-positive
9 percent
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O Rh-negative
7 percent
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B Rh-negative
2 percent
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A Rh-positive
34 percent
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AB Rh-positive
3 percent
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A Rh-negative
6 percent
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AB Rh-negative
1 percent
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In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells, and type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO type. Therefore, people with type O blood are known as “universal donors” and those with type AB blood are known as “universal recipients.” In addition, AB Plasma donors can give to all blood types
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