Blood Donation

Blood Donation Types

What is Whole Blood?

Whole Blood

A non-automated “whole blood” donation is the most common type of donation and results mainly in the collection of red blood cells. Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component and are needed by almost every type of patient requiring transfusion. Red cells make up about 40 percent of your blood. Their most important job is carrying oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Who it Helps?
Trauma and Surgical patients

Blood Types Needed:
Any blood type

Frequency:
Every 8 weeks or 56 days, 6 times a year

Time Commitment:
One hour in total. Approximately 10 minutes for blood donation.

What are Platelets?

Who it Helps?
Cancer patients, Heart surgeries, organ and bone marrow transplants

Blood Types Needed:
A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-   

Frequency:
7 days, up to 24 times per year.

Time Commitment:
Up to 2-3 hours with Solvita.

Platelets

Platelets are blood cells that help control bleeding. Platelets are sticky cells that clump together to form clots that control bleeding by sticking to the lining of blood vessels. Platelets survive in the circulatory system for about 10 days and are removed by the spleen. Outside the body, platelets can be stored for only 5 days. 

What is Plasma?

Plasma

Plasma is the fluid component of the blood that carries other blood cells, nutrients, and clotting factors throughout our bodies. Plasma is frozen after collection and can be stored for up to one year. 

Who it Helps?
Burn victims and patients with bleeding disorders

Blood Types Needed:
AB+, AB- 

Frequency:
Every 28 days or 13 times a year 

Time Commitment:
Up to 2 hours