Blood - The Gift of Life

Each year the Red Cross collects more than 155,000 units of blood, which is turned into life saving products supplied to 31 hospitals and transfusing facilities across Connecticut. Each unit of blood can save up to three lives. Volunteers help to staff blood drives and more than 100,000 people generously give The Gift of Life in Connecticut each year. To donate blood, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.bloodct.org

Why Give Blood?

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. But only 5% of the eligible donors in the U.S. give blood in any given year. Despite all medical advances, healthy volunteer blood donors are the only source of blood.

Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell, anemia and other illnesses. Some people need regular blood transfusions to live.

Many people say they have never given blood because they haven't been asked. Please, consider yourself asked. The need is real. The need is now.