The Importance of Donating Blood

Donating blood has historically been a routine for many Americans, just like getting a dental checkup or an oil change. But somewhere along the way, parents stopped passing along this tradition down to their children. Many teenagers and young adults today have never donated blood in their lives. In fact, nearly 60 percent of blood donations today are coming from individuals who are over the age of 40, according to the ABB's Donor Hemovigilance Report.

As the donor population ages, research scientists are looking for creative ways to solve the blood supply shortage. However, it remains essential for younger donors to participate on a consistent basis. Read the infographic below to learn some of the ways you can help.

This post originally appeared on the Astarte Biologics blog and has been modified for Patch.