Blood facts

Blood is the life-maintaining fluid that circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins and capillaries.

Blood carries to the body nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen.

Blood carries away from the body waste matter and carbon dioxide.

Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds, keeping you healthy.

Blood makes up about 7% of your body's weight.

A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his or her body.

White blood cells are the body's primary defense against infection.

Granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, roll along blood vessel walls to search and destroy bacteria.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues.

There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood.

Red blood cells live about 120 days in the circulatory system.

Blood platelets help clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live.