Who donates blood?
Although an estimated 37.8 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time*, less than 10 percent do so annually. According to studies, the average donor is a college-educated white male, between the ages of 30 and 50, who is married and has an above-average income. However, a broad cross-section of the population donates every day. Furthermore, these “average” statistics are changing, and women and minority groups are volunteering in increasing numbers to donate. Persons 69 years and older account for approximately 10 percent of the population, but they require 50 percent of all whole blood and red blood cells transfused. Using current screening and donation procedures, a growing number of blood banks have found blood donation by seniors to be safe and practical.
