About the Blood Supply?

Did you know...

• Nationally, four million people need blood every year - that is one patient every 12 seconds.

• In 1997, 62,500 blood donations will have to be given in order to meet patient needs in the New Mexico area. More than 200 donations are needed each day.

• It is estimated that 60% of the population will need blood at sometime in their life. Only 5% of the population donates blood.

• There is no artificial substitute for blood. When the people we love need blood, healthy human beings are the only source.

• There are 8 differrent blood types, O-negative is the universal blood type. It can be given to patients with any blood type, which means that it is needed most.

• In Taos last year, Holy Cross hospital used 621 components of blood. From Taos blood drives, we collected 40 units of blood. This means Taos residents are contributing less than 20% of the blood needs for the area.