About Blood - Needing Blood

Needing Blood

Most of us will require a blood transfusion at some point in our lives. Blood Centers of the Pacific provides needed blood for a population of more than 2.2 million. To do this, BCP needs approximately 450 units of blood each weekday.

In order to assure that patients who need blood can have access to it immediately, there must be a ready supply on hospital shelves. After natural disasters and other tragedies, people tend to donate more blood. However, it is the people who donate regularly whose blood saves lives during emergency situations because it is there waiting on the hospital shelves.

Major Reasons Patients Need Blood

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

Examples

Heart Surgery
6 units of blood
6 units of platelets
Organ Transplant
40 units of blood
30 units of platelets
20 bags of cryoprecipitate
25 units of fresh frozen plasma
Marrow Transplant
120 units of platelets
20 units of blood
Auto Accident/Injuries
Victims have used anywhere from one to 100 units of blood.
Blood Disorders such as Anemia and Hemophilia
People with blood diseases can use hundreds of units of blood throughout their lives.

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