VERIFY QUESTION
Tuesday, we took VERIFY on the road to the 53rd-annual WFMY News 2 holiday blood drive. You've heard this before -- one donation can save up to three lives. But how? There are approximately 10 pints of blood in an adult body. So, how can a one-pint donation save three lives?
VERIFY SOURCE
To VERIFY, we talked to the American Red Cross.
VERIFY PROCESS
The Red Cross explains the "one pint, three lives" mantra boils down to the fact that whole blood can be divided into four transfusable products -- red cells, platelets, plasma and cyroprecipitate. From every pint of blood, doctors can extract up to three of these products. Hence, one pint can help save the lives of up to three people.
Red cells need to be used within 42 days of collection, and platelets need to be used within five days. Plasma and cyroprecipitate can be frozen and stored for up to one year after collection.
VERIFY CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we can VERIFY the components of a single blood donation can, indeed, help save the lives of up to three people.
Join us for the WFMY News 2 annual holiday blood drive Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
