The Blood Matters Blog ·

    Without Blood Donors, Organ Transplants Wouldn't Be Possible

    Every transplant starts with a generous donor — but it can't happen without blood. From surgery to recovery, blood donors help make second chances possible.

    Share
    April Donate Life Month Graphic

    When we think of organ transplants, the focus often centers on the donated organ — and rightly so. But behind every successful transplant is another crucial contribution: donated blood.

    Transplant surgeries are among the most complex procedures in modern medicine, sometimes lasting 12 hours or more. Surgeons must carefully cut and reconnect major blood vessels, and even with the most advanced techniques, blood loss is inevitable. That's why blood transfusions are needed — not just during surgery, but throughout recovery as well.

    Without donated blood, a transplant cannot proceed. If there isn't enough blood available, the surgery may be delayed or even canceled. Blood donors play an essential role in making transplants possible, working alongside organ donors to give patients a second chance at life.

    Save a Life by Giving Blood Today

    Organ Transplants by the Numbers: The Hidden Demand for Blood

    In 2024, over 48,000 organ transplants were performed in the U.S., with kidneys, livers, hearts and lungs being the most common, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. What many don’t realize is that these lifesaving surgeries also depend on another critical resource: donated blood.

    It's estimated that more than 266,000 units of blood products were needed to support transplant procedures. Liver transplants were the most blood-intensive, using over 180,000 units of red blood cells, platelets and plasma combined. A single liver transplant can require more than 16 units due to the complexity of the operation and risk of bleeding.

    Kidney transplants — by far the most common, with 27,759 performed — needed more than 55,000 units of red blood cells. Heart and lung transplants required over 18,000 and 13,000 units respectively. These blood figures are based on average amounts set aside per surgery—not necessarily the exact amount used.

    How Many Units of Blood Support Transplants?

    Organ Transplants and the Blood Behind Them 2024

    This National Donate Life Month, Make a Difference

    • National Donate Life Month

      April is National Donate Life Month, a time to raise awareness about the critical need for organ and blood donors. You can help make a lifesaving difference by registering as an organ donor and committing to regular blood donations. At Our Blood Institute, we rely on dedicated blood donors like you to ensure that every transplant has the blood support it needs.

      If you live in Oklahoma, we encourage you to register as an organ donor with LifeShare Oklahoma. For those outside Oklahoma, you can find your local organ registry by state at organdonor.gov.

      Visit your local donor center or register today and become part of this vital, life-giving partnership. Together, we can make miracles happen.

      Learn More About Donate Life Month from LifeShare

      Video