Share this on:
HOW TO BE A BLOOD DONOR
      • Types of Blood Donations

      • Giving the "right" type of blood donation - based on your blood type and patient needs - helps ensure the best use of your valuable contribution. Here are some things to consider when determining how you can have the most impact.
      • Whole Blood Donation

        Whole blood is the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets. Learn more about whole blood donations.

        Who it helps: Whole blood is frequently given to trauma patients and people undergoing surgery.

        Time it takes: About 1 hour

        Ideal blood types: All blood types

        Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a yearPower Red Donation

        During a Power Red donation, you give a concentrated dose of red cells, the part of your blood used every day for those needing transfusions as part of their care. This type of donation uses an automated process that separates your red blood cells from the other blood components, and then safely and comfortably returns your plasma and platelets to you.

        With just a little extra time at your appointment, you can donate more red cells and increase your impact on patients in need. Learn more about Power Red donations.

        Who it helps: Red cells from a Power Red donation are typically given to trauma patients, newborns and emergency transfusions during birth, people with sickle cell anemia, and anyone suffering blood loss.

        Time it takes: About 1.5 hours

        Ideal blood types: O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative

        Donation frequency: Every 112 days, up to 3 times/year

        Height/Weight requirements: See specific details

      • Platelet Donation

        Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. Platelets are most often used by cancer patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

        In a platelet donation, an apheresis machine collects your platelets along with some plasma, returning your red cells and most of the plasma back to you. A single donation of platelets can yield several transfusable units, whereas it takes about five whole blood donations to make up a single transfusable unit of platelets.

        Platelets are collected at Red Cross donation centers only, and are not collected at blood drives. Learn more about platelet donations.

        Who it helps: Platelets are a vital element of cancer treatments and organ transplant procedures, as well as other surgical procedures.

        Time it takes: About 2.5-3 hours

        Ideal blood types: A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive and AB negative

        Donation frequency: Every 7 days, up to 24 times/year

      • Plasma Donation

        During an AB Elite donation, you give plasma, a part of your blood used to treat patients in emergency situations. AB plasma can be given to anyone regardless of their blood type. Plasma is collected through an automated process that separates plasma from other blood components, then safely and comfortably returns your red blood cells and platelets to you. AB Elite maximizes your donation and takes just a few minutes longer than donating blood.

        Plasma is collected at select Red Cross donation centers. Learn more about plasma donation.

        Who it helps: AB Plasma is used in emergency and trauma situations to help stop bleeding.

        Time it takes: About 1 hour and 15 minutes

        Ideal blood types: AB positive, AB negative

        Donation frequency: Every 28 days, up to 13 times/year

      • How can one donation help multiple people?
      • In modern medical treatments, patients may receive a pint of whole blood or just the specific components of the blood that are needed to treat their particular condition. This approach to treatment, referred to as blood component therapy, allows several patients to benefit from one pint of donated whole blood.

        The transfusable components that can be derived from donated blood are red cells, platelets, plasma, cryoprecipitated AHF (cryo), and granulocytes. An additional component, white cells, is often removed from donated blood before transfusion.