But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Why do we donate blood?

<p>One of the things that makes blood so special is we can share it with other people! Scientists and doctors have figured out safe ways to take the blood from one person and put it into the body of a different person who needs it. That’s called a transfusion. Why would someone need more blood? Doctors use blood transfusions to help people who have been in accidents and to treat people with certain kinds of cancer, sickle cell disease and other conditions. But if you’ve never heard about this before, it can sound kind of strange and alarming to think about giving away something that is so necessary to your life! In our second blood-related episode we’ll tag along with Jane as she donates some of her own blood.</p>
<p>Download our learning guides: <a href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/db/40/f03c22ae4033b2becc8f4e1e94dd/why-do-we-have-blood-and-what-does-it-do.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PDF</a> | <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UrIUS-FGy60KX_aCKizxdIYudhV8XllVsQGwfbnvyOE/copy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Slide</a> | <a href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/55/ff/9343880043be92c75dffd2b04a7b/but-why-204-blood-donation-transcript.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Transcript</a></p>

But Why is a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world. Know a kid with a question? Record it with a smartphone. Be sure to include your kid's first name, age, and town and send the recording to questions@butwhykids.org!