Stanford Blood Center's April Grand Raffle

According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Therefore, there is a great need for the public to donate red blood cells, platelets, and plasma to save lives.

Stanford Blood Center

Stanford Blood Center was established in 1978.

At that time, Stanford University Hospital and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital needed complex transfusion procedures, along with blood research and education.

The Blood Center also developed a large-scale automated collection program, including double red blood cells and various plasma products, to meet the needs of oncology, bone marrow, and solid organ transplants, as well as hospital programs.

Stanford Blood Center provides a variety of blood donation services, benefiting countless patients in need of transfusions and saving lives.

The different components of blood

1. Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Function: Responsible for transporting oxygen. They carry oxygen from the lungs to various parts of the body and also bring carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Contains: Hemoglobin, which can bind with oxygen.

Appearance: Biconcave disc shape, without a cell nucleus.

Characteristic: The most abundant cell component in the blood, which gives blood its red color.

2. Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Function: Responsible for stopping bleeding and clotting. When you get injured, platelets gather at the wound site to help form a blood clot.

Appearance: Smaller than red blood cells, without a cell nucleus.

Characteristic: Short lifespan (about 7-10 days), but crucial in function.

3. Plasma

Function: Transports nutrients, hormones, waste products, and antibodies.

Helps maintain blood pressure and body temperature.

Composition: About 90% water, with the remainder consisting of proteins (such as albumin and clotting factors), salts, enzymes, hormones, etc.

Characteristic: The liquid portion of blood, making up about 55% of blood volume, and appears pale yellow.

Stanford Blood Center's April Grand Raffle

Any donor at Stanford Blood Center will have the chance to win two luxury suite tickets to San Francisco Giants game.

If you are interested in donating blood, you can make an appointment using one of the following methods:

1. Phone appointment: Call 888-723-7831 or text 999-777.

2. Online appointment: Please visit www.sbcdonor.org.

3. Download the SBC app to make an appointment.

4. If you don't have an appointment, you can still visit a blood donation center or mobile blood drive to register.

   
   

Anyone aged 16 or older is eligible to donate blood.

If you are 16 years old, a parent or guardian must accompany you or provide guardian's consent.

Before donating blood, please make sure to eat and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Please bring your ID.

For more details, visit https://stanfordbloodcenter.org/.