Every Two Seconds: How Blood Donation Saves Lives and Builds Careers
Salma Kidwai
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Whether it be for an unexpected laceration or to help cancer patients have their blood counts replenished, one thing we can all agree on is that blood donations save lives. The interesting part is that of the people eligible to donate, only around 3% are regular donors. This means there are many individuals who can help support their communities just by taking 30 minutes out of their day every couple of months. I write this article not only to bring awareness and inspire others to donate, but also to provide insight into the amazing careers within donation services and research.
Whole red blood cell donations are the most typical and are also the quickest, but they are incredibly important. Red blood cells act as transporters of oxygen throughout the body and assist during both emergencies and daily circulation. They are used to treat people who have experienced traumatic injury, are in need of surgery, have cancer or blood disorders, or require a blood transfusion. Each year, over 11 million people in the U.S. donate blood, and over 14 million units of blood are collected (over 14 million pints of blood), which is truly amazing.
Platelets, on the other hand, are like superheroes who help when there are wounds, both internal and external. When there is a wound, platelets clot to stop bleeding. For patients, platelet donations help those with cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Platelets are needed every 15 seconds; however, because they must be used within five days of donation, new donors are constantly needed. One of the unique aspects of platelet donation is that you can donate every week, or up to 24 times a year. Although it may take around one to three hours to donate platelets, I assure you that every second is worth it. You’re helping save lives, which is an indescribable feeling.
Double red blood cell donations are similar to whole red blood cell donations but allow two units to be donated at one time. This is possible by extracting blood and separating the platelets, plasma, and white blood cells from the red blood cells, returning the platelets, plasma, and white blood cells back to the donor. While Power Red donations are a phenomenal feat, the requirements for this type of donation are slightly different and the process can take around an hour or more. Still, it is an incredible way to provide two life-saving donations at once.
By donating every couple of months or weeks, you’re able to start getting involved within your own community and saving lives. However, there are also ways to make a career within the field of blood donation and research. First, phlebotomy cells. When donating platelets, the white blood cells are separated into specific tubes as they can be harmful when transfusing to patients. Their function is one I think is so cool each time, they help to defend the body from infections. Researchers studying this field are phenomenal and contribute so much to our understanding of how incredible the human body is. One thing I’d like to highlight is that whatever field you decide to pursue, be sure to pick one that aligns with your own morals and beliefs.
Blood donations save millions of lives each year, and there are many fascinating careers within this field. If you’d like to see whether you’re eligible to donate, contact your local donation center. If pursuing a career in this area interests you, try speaking with individuals already working in the field. Hopefully, by increasing the number of donors, we can save many more lives.
American Red Cross. (2021, May 19). Why blood donation is important. www.redcrossblood.org. https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/news/article/blood-donation-importance.html
American Red Cross. (2025). Importance of the Blood Supply. Redcrossblood.org. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html
Donate Blood. (2025). Uclahealth.org; UCLA Health. https://www.uclahealth.org/programs/gotblood
My citations for my getting started in research article is as follows:
Undergraduate Research Center—Sciences | University of California, Los Angeles. (2025, December 17). Ucla.edu. https://sciences.ugresearch.ucla.edu/
