How donated blood is used

How donated blood is used
PHOTO: How donated blood is used

Blood contains many life-saving components that can help to treat different illnesses and injuries. For many people, blood donors are their life-line.

A blood donation could help save the life of an accident victim, a patient with severe anaemia, a person undergoing major surgery or even a newborn baby.

As for the platelets found in blood, these are are used to treat leukaemia patients. A single patient often needs platelets from 10 or more donors, all within a short period of time. Add given the short 5-day lifespan of donated platelets, there is a constant need for platelet donors.

Every hour of the day, 15 units of blood are used in Singapore. At least 350 units have to be collected each day, as 90,000 units are needed in a year just to meet the transfusion needs of patients in Singapore.

And with an aging population and more sophisticated medical procedures, the demand for blood is increasing.

For more information on blood donation, go to www.hsa.gov.sg

Source: Health Sciences Authority


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