Some 4.5 million Americans would die each year without blood transfusions, according to Brookhaven National Laboratory, in Suffolk County. That is why donating blood is critical. Giving a single pint of blood could save as many as three lives.
In summer, however, blood donations drop off dramatically, because schools, which account for a high number of donations, are out, and people are on vacation, when they’re not precisely thinking about giving blood.
If you have the time, please donate blood. Only 10 percent of people who are eligible to do so donate blood annually, according to the American Red Cross. But someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion every two seconds — yes, that’s every two seconds.
There is no substitute for blood. It is perishable, and can quickly become unusable if not stored properly and administered promptly, which adds to the importance of having a steady supply on hand.
Blood centers list the health benefits of donating blood: