• Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. That's a lot of blood.
• But only 5% of the eligible U.S. population donates blood in any given year. Healthy donors are the only source of blood.
• Currently there is no substitute.
• Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell and other illnesses. Some people need regular blood transfusions to live.
• Imagine if giving blood was part of everyone's life. Something you did on a regular basis, like eating at your favorite restaurant. What kind of difference would that make? For nearly 5 million people who receive blood transfusions every year, your donation can make the difference between life and death.
• Here in Northern Ohio, the American Red Cross needs to collect 900 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of patients in 57 local hospitals.

You may donate every 56 days if you are at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health. Please bring your American Red Cross donor card (if available), a driver's license, or two forms of identification. For more information, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/northernohio.