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Blood is needed every three seconds. By the age of 72, 95 percent of all Americans will have needed a blood transfusion. One out of 10 hospital patients needs a transfusion. Blood is always needed for treatment of accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs and surgery patients. There is no substitute for blood.

Every pint of whole blood you donate is separated into three components - plasma, red cells and platelets. Fresh plasma is used to treat accident victims, patients with bleeding disorders and burn victims. Platelets are used to treat cancer patients and patients who have had bone marrow transplants. Red cells are used to treat patients who have lost blood because of trauma or surgery. It also is used to treat patients with anemia.

Blood transfusions are a critical part of everyday medicine. Patients receiving organ transplants, cancer therapies and support for sickle cell anemia depend on lifesaving transfusions. Blood is also critical to the survival of some premature babies and some patients undergoing heart or joint replacement surgery.

To make sure blood is available for local patients who need it, please donate regularly to the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. You can donate blood every eight weeks.

This precious fluid has a short shelf life. Platelets last for just five days. Red cells last for 42 days. Someone you know and love could be next in line for a life-saving transfusion. It's up to all of us to ensure that this treatment is available when needed.