Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries.
Blood drives are a critical and powerful way to make a difference in the lives of others. Through each whole blood donation, this can save up to three lives.
Donate or Volunteer
Give Blood
It’s easy to find a convenient location and time to donate that fits your schedule!
Three options to schedule your appointment:
- Call 1-800-REDCROSS,
- Schedule appointment online or
- Download the Red Cross app.
* Android App
* iPhone App
RapidPass® can help save time during your next blood or platelet donation.
For the best donation experience, schedule an appointment, then complete the RapidPass health questionnaire online.
Volunteer
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for volunteers. Please click on the link below for more information:
Why give blood?
Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.
- Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.
- Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
- Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
- The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
- The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
- Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
- According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.7 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
- A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.
