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Discovering the circulation of blood
William Harvey discovers the circulation of blood. -
First recorded blood transfusion
The first successful blood transfusion was in 1665 and occurred in England: Physician Richard Lower kept a dog alive by transfusing blood from other dogs -
First blood transfusion on humans
British obstetrician James Blundell performed the first successful transfusion of human blood to a patient. -
The start of a program
The United States government established a national blood collection program called the Red Cross, and started early blood processing program for relief of English war victims. -
U.S. Blood banks
The blood banks moved toward an all-volunteer blood donor system. -
21st century
Now blood is used by researchers to help create medicines and find cures for diseases.