Greater Ozarks - Arkansas Region

The Demand For Blood

Nationally, Red Cross collects more than six million units of blood annually. Each year, schools, businesses, churches, communities and other sponsors throughout the country conduct more than 102,000 local Red Cross blood drives. These drives are the heart and soul of Red Cross blood services, accounting for 75 percent of all blood collected. The remaining 25 percent is donated at Red Cross blood centers.

In our local blood region, which covers most of Arkansas, Western Tennessee and Southwest Missouri, more than 105,000 units of blood are collected each year, at least 2,000 units each week.

The demand for blood is constant. Because blood is perishable, huge supplies cannot be built up and stored for long periods of time. Some blood components must be used as quickly as 24 hours after donation. As a result, Red Cross must hold blood drives almost every day throughout the year. These drives are needed to keep pace with the region's blood needs.

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