Facts to Know

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1. Every year, 4.5 million American lives are saved with blood transfusions.

2. This country has a severe blood shortage that gets worse every year.

3. It takes just an hour from start to finish to donate blood.

4. As caregivers, it is particularly important that women donate blood because it sends a signal to other family and friends that donating blood is safe, painless and appropriate.

5. Donating blood is perfectly safe, with no risk of contracting any blood borne diseases.

6. You can donate blood every 56 days.

7. Women who still menstruate may have low iron levels that temporarily prevent them from donating blood, but they can return and donate once their iron levels return to normal.

8. The US blood supply is very safe, with very little chance of diseases like HIV being transmitted via blood transfusion.

9. About 85 percent of Americans have Rh-positive blood.

10. In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells. People with this type of blood are known as "universal donors".