Greater Ozarks - Arkansas Region

The Gift of Blood

The person who gives blood and the patient who receives it are linked together in a special bond of concern and need. For the donor, giving blood is a unique way of caring about another human being. For the patient who needs blood to recover, a donation can literally be a gift of life. On its route from donor to patient, blood passes through many stages. Each step ensures that every donation serves the greatest number of needs in the safest and most efficient manner possible.

The average adult's body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood. Twenty years ago, donated blood was used only to replace losses due to surgeries or accidents. Today, it has many uses. As medical technology progresses, more and more uses for blood will be developed. As a result, the need for blood continues to increase.

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