How the U.S. blood supply provides a lifeline to patients across the nation

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Whether it is for life-saving surgeries, transfusions for traumatic injuries, or for chronic diseases like hepatitis, sickle cell anemia and cancer, the U.S. blood supply is an essential part of the healthcare system and a lifeline for patients and their families. Supported by a network of donors, blood collection organizations and medical facilities, the system works in partnership from donation to distribution to ensure timely availability of blood for patients who needed it.

In this article, we’ll explore the interdependencies of the U.S. blood supply, and how through the compassion of donors in collaboration with hospitals and healthcare providers, the system helps save lives and makes everyday miracles possible. 

Without the generosity of individuals who donate blood, the system simply wouldn’t work. Blood donation in the U.S. is voluntary, and there are many for- and non-profit blood collection organizations operating across the country. For donors, the key difference between for-profit and non-profit organizations is that, for-profit companies will compensate donors for giving, while non-profit organizations like The American Red Cross recruit volunteers for both donation and for staff to operate blood drives. Also, while The American Red Cross sells the blood it collects to hospitals and providers, it does so at a cost in order to sustain operations. For-profit companies also sell the blood they collect but need to maintain certain financial goals that enable them to provide the service.

Whether you donate to an organization like The American Red Cross or to a for-profit blood collection company, your gift is what makes the entire U.S. blood system work. There is currently no other source of blood or synthetic substitute that can assist people in need. Unfortunately, less than three percent of the eligible population in the U.S. donate blood, however it is estimated that 90 percent of the population will need blood at some point in their lifetime.

There are several ways to donate blood and blood products that are engineered from the process to serve different medical needs and patients. Donors may choose to make a whole blood donation, which is then separated into its components including red and white blood cells, plasma and platelets. Each product has a specific purpose; for example, the majority of platelet donations are used to help people with cancer.

Through a process called apheresis, donors can also give specific components of blood such as platelets or plasma. Different from a whole blood donation where the blood is collected directly into a bag, with apheresis, blood is drawn from the donor into a machine that separates and collects the blood components using centrifugation. The remaining blood components are then returned to the donor from the machine.

Once blood is donated, it is then tested for safety, including screening for infectious diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Specific blood type is then confirmed through a process called blood typing. Blood typing detects whether blood antigens are A, B, AB, or O, and whether the Rh factor is positive or negative (e.g., A+, O-). This is a critical step as patients can only receive compatible blood types to prevent dangerous reactions during blood transfusions. The exception is type O blood, which can be given to anyone with any blood type. This is why individuals with type O blood are referred to as universal blood donors.

Once blood is processed, typed and tested, it is stored by blood banks in climate-controlled storage facilities until needed. Blood banks maintain refrigerated or frozen storage for red blood cells, plasma and platelets, but the shelf life of each component varies. Blood banks also maintain detailed records of where each unit of blood is stored along with its typing and other information to ensure the right blood type and component reach the right patient at the right time.

To ensure that blood is available where and when it’s needed most, the U.S. blood supply system relies on a coordinated system for local and national distribution. Demand for blood can be unpredictable, so the system needs to be flexible and agile. This is especially important when, for example, there is a natural disaster or emergency where large numbers of patients suddenly require blood. Distribution can then shift quickly to address the need, drawing from other areas in the country that may have surplus blood at any given time.

In addition, if a blood shortage is detected in any area, resources from across the country can be reallocated to fill the gap. The distribution system includes large hospitals in high-population urban locations as well as smaller community hospitals in rural areas. This way, the system can provide for all patients in times of emergency and regardless of the size of the donor base in the local area. Especially in times of disaster or emergencies, the federal government also plays a role to keep the blood supply system in balance by working with organizations like the American Red Cross to organize blood drives and facilitate large-scale donation.

As complex and interdependent as the U.S. blood supply system is, its success or failure depends on individual donations from generous blood donors like you. More donations and blood in the supply can alleviate the strain of shortages and burdens of managing the logistics required to move blood from one area or facility to another. By donating blood, you can provide a vital resource that supports the entire healthcare system and your community, helping to save lives every day.

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Study HIV Transmission Through Blood and Blood Products; Leveton LB, Sox HC Jr., Stoto MA, editors. HIV And The Blood Supply: An Analysis Of Crisis Decisionmaking. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1995. 2, The U.S. Blood Supply System. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232409/

Blood typing https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003345.htm