1.   Blood transfusions would transmit syphilis, except that blood-screening programs test all donated blood for evidence of the disease.

2.   Because any viral infection in donated blood potentially could get into the plasma-manufacturing pipeline, protecting the purity of this clear liquid is a global priority.

3.   Blood banks also need to closely match their stocks of donated blood with the types needed by their patients.

4.   A new process now undergoing final testing may rid donated blood of virtually all viruses and bacteria, bringing a new level of safety to blood transfusions.

5.   After the problems caused by HIV and various hepatitis viruses, the discovery of any new virus in donated blood is worrying.

6.   But the medicine, derived from donated blood, was not screened and cleansed, as it is now.

7.   Charitable gifts have skyrocketed, as have sales of flags and stocks of donated blood.

8.   Chiron also makes vaccines and test kits used by blood banks to detect viruses in donated blood.

9.   Chiron is also poised to win U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to sell a more sensitive test to detect HIV and hepatitis in donated blood.

10.   Donated blood is used as whole blood or is broken down into its components to serve special needs.