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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Blood is a living tissue made up of blood cells, platelets, and a fluid called plasma that contains protein and a number of other components. A blood transfusion is the administration of blood or blood components directly into the bloodstream. Every year, more than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions in the United States and Canada. Someone needs blood on an average of every 2 seconds.

The May 21, 2008, issue of JAMA includes an article about blood donations by 16- and 17-year-olds. This Patient Page is based on one published in the April 17, 2002, issue of JAMA.

WHO NEEDS BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS?

• Persons who have lost blood because of internal bleeding or severe injuries
  
• Persons who lose blood during surgical procedures
  
• Certain individuals with cancer, sickle cell disease, and other disorders
  

Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor

RELATED ARTICLE

Adverse Reactions to Allogeneic Whole Blood Donation by 16- and 17-Year-Olds
Anne F. Eder, Christopher D. Hillyer, Beth A. Dy, Edward P. Notari, IV, and Richard J. Benjamin
JAMA. 2008;299(19):2279-2286.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT