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- 1665: First blood transfusion of record takes place.
- 1901: Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian physician, documented the first three human blood groups, A, B, and O.
- 1902: Fourth main blood type was discovered, AB.
- 1939 & 1940: Rh blood group was discovered by Landsteiner, Wiener, Levine and Stetson.
- 1950: The introduction of the plastic bag for blood collection, preparation of multiple components from a single unit of whole blood.
- 1971: HBs Antigen test used in the United States.
- 1972: Apheresis was used to extract one cellular component while returning the rest of the blood back to the donor.
- 1979: CPDA-1 extends shelf life of blood to 35 days. Today, preservatives which can be added to blood, extends the shelf life of red cells to 42 days from the time blood is donated.
- 1985: Blood was tested for HIV 1/2.
- Other tests have been added since then to make blood safer. (see Testing)
Today, thanks to these advances, full utilization is made of nearly every blood donation. Elements of blood can be separated by centrifuge. Plasma can be preserved by freezing. Each blood element can be used to treat different diseases.
Blood is now tested for diseases it may carry, and any blood testing positive for a disease is destroyed.
Each year in the United States, human blood is required to save the lives of millions of people who have been injured in accidents or who are suffering from various diseases. There is no way to manufacture human blood outside the body. That is why Cascade Regional Blood Services play such a vital role in the healthcare of our region.
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