Donor blood is needed for surgery patients, trauma victims, and people with certain medical conditions, such as anemia and sickle cell disease. Every year, Americans use more than 23 million units of various blood components. The Need for Blood Only about five percent of Americans donate blood. Even though many blood components can be frozen and stored for some time, there are still serious shortages from time to time. By 2030, experts predict the amount of donor blood needed will exceed availability by roughly four million units.
Some people are also concerned about getting an infectious disease through a blood transfusion.
Researchers are testing several types of blood substitutes that can be used in place of donor red blood cells. One method uses a modified hemoglobin. Without the antigens, the blood substitute can be given to anyone of any blood type, eliminating the need for blood typing and cross-matching. Then, scientists chemically alter the hemoglobin to increase the time it can stay in circulation. The blood substitutes are also filtered and sterilized to remove any organisms that carry infectious diseases.