blood

What happens to blood after it's donated?

Each year blood donors help to save millions of lives. Individuals who routinely donate blood may not give it a second thought, but this selfless gesture ensures accident victims and others get a helping hand when they need it most. Recipients of blood donations are there for the culmination of a...

What to expect when donating blood

Donating blood is a selfless act that benefits countless individuals each day. The need for a steady blood supply is ongoing. In July 2024, the American Red Cross faced an emergency blood shortage after its national blood inventory fell by more than 25 percent. The Red Cross recently reported its...

The basics of leukemia

Cancer can affect just about every part of the body. Leukemia is the name given to cancers that affect the blood and blood-forming tissues of the body. The word comes from the Greek words for "white" (leukos) and "blood" (haima). The Cleveland Clinic says leukemia develops when the DNA of a single...

Blood vs. plasma

Donating blood is a selfless act. Each year, blood donors collectively save the lives of millions of people across the globe. The American Red Cross reports that blood levels continue to be low, and hospital need often outpaces the rate at which many blood donation organizations can replenish their...

What to know about becoming a blood donor

Hospitals have an urgent need for blood donations, as demand continues to outpace blood supplies, according to the American Red Cross. The organization says fewer donors contributed to the blood supply over the summer in 2023, creating a national blood shortage. As of the fall of 2023, donors of...

How to prepare to donate blood

The COVID-19 virus has had a ripple effect that has impacted every facet of life since the World Health Organization first declared a global pandemic nearly two years ago. Individuals are well aware of the effects the pandemic has had on their daily lives, but one lesser known yet significant...

Factors that may affect your eligibility to donate blood

Blood donations are vital to many people's survival. Whether someone has lost blood after a car accident or as the result of a chronic disease, without the selfless decision by millions of blood donors to donate blood, people in need may not be able to overcome their injuries and illnesses. The H....