Duration of Red Blood Cell Storage Prior to Transfusion

This study will determine the minimal duration of red blood cell (RBC) storage that leads to increases in circulating non-transferrin-bound iron in healthy human volunteers post-transfusion. The results from this study will help guide national guidelines for appropriate duration of RBC storage prior to transfusion, which is currently 6 weeks by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria. The overall objective of this research is to improve the safety of refrigerated storage of red blood cells before transfusion.