How donated blood is used

The majority of donated blood goes to people with cancer, as well as people who have suffered traumatic accidents, burns or who undergo surgery.

Plasma donations are used to make 17 different products and contain very important proteins, nutrients and clotting factors which help to prevent and stop bleeding.

Platelets are used to help clot the blood and seal wounds in surgical and cancer patients. Leukaemia and chemotherapy treatments can reduce a patients platelet count.

All blood components have a short shelf life, creating the need for a constant blood supply.

• platelets - up to 5 days
• red cells - 42 days
• plasma - up to one year