Blood donations are divided into three parts: red blood cells, plasma and platelets. And we always need all three.

The blood types represent red cells, after we’ve sent hospitals what they need. Every day we send hospitals more, and every day donors come in to give. We always need to have enough to be ready to meet hospital demand.

• Very low: give blood now. Nobody will miss out on the blood they urgently need, but someone in a less urgent situation may have to wait a bit.
• Low: give blood now. More donors need to boost the supply and keep it steady.
• Need more: you should give blood in the next 5 days or so.
• Ok: you could give blood to keep things on the up and up, or consider giving plasma.
• Good: your blood donation will keep the supply strong, or you should give plasma between blood donations.
• Not collected: we collect enough red cells from other regions, but you should consider giving plasma.

The yellow drop represents plasma of all blood types.

• Need more: you should give plasma as soon as you can, unless your blood type is very low right now.
• Ok: you should consider giving plasma or give between blood donations.
• Good: we always need more plasma. Things are looking good right now, but you can keep the supply strong.