What To Expect When Donating Blood

Blood circulates throughout the entire body and helps maintain life. Oxygen, nutrients, heat, hormones, and electrolytes are transported to body tissues by the blood. It is also responsible for carrying waste and carbon dioxide away from tissues. Blood is comprised of platelets, plasma, white blood cells, and red blood cells. In the United States, more than twenty million transfusions of donated blood are given every year. Since blood cannot be stored for a long time, an active, large donor pool is required to maintain a sufficient blood supply for transfusions.