The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.

When you give blood, you give another birthday, another anniversary and another holiday with loved ones. You give someone another laugh, another hug, another chance.

Much of modern medicine is made possible by this selfless act: average people - people like you - take time out of their busy schedules to give a piece of themselves so that someone they may never know has a chance to live.

• Each unit of blood has the potential to save three lives. A unit of blood can be split into three components: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. The entire donation process only takes about an hour.

• Trauma victims need your red cells. Cancer patients need your platelets. And burn victims need your plasma. Since red cells must be used within 42 days and platelets are only good for five days, the need for blood is continuous.

• In addition to traditional whole blood collection, the Red Cross is able to offer a variety of automated collections options, including plateletpheresis, double red cell donation and red cell plasma donation. By offering several automated collections options, we are better able to collect the right component at the right time for patients in need.

• The Indiana-Ohio Region of American Red Cross Blood Services collects and distributes blood in 43 counties in northern Indiana and northwest Ohio.

• If you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. We have a site in Fort Wayne at 1212 E. California Road, and hold blood drives at locations throughout northeast Indiana.