American Red Cross Guide

5/19/2015 (Permalink)

How is blood used? Blood that is generously donated goes through many steps to ensure that it is as safe as possible and is then given to patients in need.  There are different components of blood and each serves a distinct purpose.

Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells carry the body's oxygen supply and are needed for patients such as accident victims, those undergoing surgery or people with conditions such as anemia or kidney disease.

Platelets

Platelets are vital to life, because they help prevent massive blood loss resulting from trauma, as well as blood vessel leakage that would otherwise occur in the course of normal, day-to-day activity.

Plasma

Plasma severs a variety of functions, from maintaining a satisfactory blood pressure and volume to supplying critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity.