Blood also plays a life-saving role in serious accidents, civil and military conflicts, and major tragedies, such as earthquakes and hurricanes. If you are unable to donate blood yourself, encourage healthy family members and friends to do so to make sure the gift of life is there when it is needed. Should you or a loved one require a blood transfusion, talk with your doctor about your options, possible risks and whether you might be able to donate your own blood for your operation. You may need blood for a variety of reasons. Your body needs to replenish blood that is lost, destroyed or not replaced by your bone marrow, which makes your blood cells.
Anemia occurs when the body's red blood cell count is very low.
Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs so that it can be used throughout the body. The blood supply is safer today than it ever has been. Strict screening practices in the selection of donors, as well as federal safety requirements for the testing, storage and transportation of blood, make America's blood supply as safe as modern technology can make it. While America's blood supply is very safe, blood transfusions are not risk-free. Only people who are not at risk for an infectious disease can give blood.