Your red cells can be donated to one patient, while your plasma or platelets can help others. Blood donations are needed every day, not just in times of emergency or natural disaster, he said. Every day of the year people are going to surgery. Every day of the year there are hemophiliacs that need their therapy. There are people who have various cancers and leukemia that are constantly coming back to the hospital because they have had a relapse or a complication.
Blood is a perishable item.
Red cells are only good for anywhere from 35 to 42 days. Platelets can only be kept for up to five days. Fresh frozen plasma is good for one year. But, we are constantly using that so our supply is constantly turning over. Many times low blood supplies make rationing necessary.