FAQs

Did You Know?

• Only 5 percent of eligible donors across the nation donate blood, but the number of transfusions nationwide increases by 9 percent every year.
• Blood donors can donate as frequently as every 56 days. A benefit from donating this often is that you receive a mini-physical once every two months.
• Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
• About 133,700 units of blood products are transfused at Mayo Clinic annually.
• Whole blood donation only takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
• We offer free parking for all donors in Mayo parking lots.
• We offer childcare for whole blood donors during donation.
• We now offer mobile blood drives for donor convenience.
• On average, a hip replacement typically uses one unit of blood, a cardiac bypass 2 units, a heart transplant 2 units, and a liver transplant 10 units!
• The blood you donate with the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program stays right here in our community.
• Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come as a gift from people.
• The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months. People are more apt to be traveling and active during these times and thus are at an increased risk for accidents.
• Statistics show that 25 percent or more of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime.
• The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program has to buy nearly a quarter (25%) of its blood products from the American Red Cross to help meet the needs of our patients and to prevent postponing surgeries.
• You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood.