Virtual Blood Bank (VBB)

Blood Facts

An average adult has about 14 to 18 pints of blood
One standard unit or pint of blood equals to about two cups
Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the body
Blood carries carbon-dioxide and other waste products back to the lungs, kidneys and liver for disposal
Blood fights against infection and helps to heal wounds
Blood is separated into components before use (red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets, etc.)
There are four blood types: A, B, AB and O
Each blood type has two sub-type i.e., Rh positive and Rh negative
There are about one billion red blood cells in a few drops of blood
Red blood cells live about 120 days in our bodies
Red blood cells can be stored under normal conditions for up to 42 days
Frozen red blood cells can be stored for ten years and more
Platelets must be used within five days
Platelets are small blood cells that assist in the process of blood clotting helping those with leukemia and other cancers, controlling bleeding
Plasma, the fourth major component of blood, is sticky and pale yellow fluid mixture of water containing protein and salts. It is 95% water. The other 5% is made up of nutrients, proteins and hormones
Blood plasma constitutes 55% of the whole volume of human blood
Plasma helps to maintain blood pressure, carries blood cells, nutrients, enzymes and hormones, and supplies critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity
Type AB plasma has been considered as the universal blood plasma type, and therefore, AB plasma can be given to patients with any blood type
Frozen plasma can be stored for up to one year
Human blood, red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets are developed naturally by the body in the bone marrow