id you know that the blood you usually donate is then sold? Yes, although they are often non-profits, the Red Cross and other blood banks often act as businesses, asking you to give a product that they turn around and sell. The Red Cross alone sells about $2 billion worth of blood each year. Part of the money these organizations gain from selling your blood is used to cover the costs of blood testing and processing and the salaries of people who help do this work on a daily basis. However, if you didn’t realize your donated blood is being sold, you may find this new information surprising.
Every time you donate blood, you give a pint of blood. A single pint of blood sells for $180 – $300. That may be more than you earn in an entire day of work!
With this said, you don’t have to give your blood away and then let a company get paid instead of you. At many blood banks, you can ask to receive payment for the blood you donate. It’s still considered a donation, you’re just earning a reward for donating.