Blood is perishable. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days. Other blood products must be used within 5 days. Over the past three years, one million fewer people have donated blood. Blood Saves Lives.
Blood is available to any patient who needs it.
Patients are not required to find donors to replace the blood they used. It is a community responsibility. Blood transports nutrients and oxygen, fights infection, provides clotting factors and eliminates wastes. Blood products are used for surgery, trauma, chemotherapy, kidney dialysis, hemophilia, shock and other life-threatening conditions. That depends on the type of surgery and whether or not there are complications.