Facts about Blood Donation

• An estimated 60% of New Yorkers are eligible to donate blood, but only 4% actually donate annually.

• You can donate whole blood every eight weeks.

• There are four main blood types: A, B, AB and O. AB is the universal recipient; O Negative is the universal donor.

• Platelets from your blood support blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other illnesses a chance to live.

• If all blood donors gave just two to four times a year, it would significantly help prevent blood shortages.

• A single pint of blood could save up to four lives.

• Every time you give blood you are giving someone life: a child, mother, father, brother, sister, grandparents or even a friend. Life, what a gift!

• You cannot contract HIV/AIDS or any other infectious disease by donating blood.