Donation Types

Whole Blood Donation –   Apheresis Blood Donation

Whole Blood Donation

What is Whole Blood Donation?

Definition: Allogeneic or whole blood donors can give blood every 56 days.  Most donors volunteer to donate blood, to help Alaska patients in need.  On average whole blood donations are equivalent to a pint of blood and the donation process can take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.   In this type of donation the blood component is not separated at time of donation.

  • You must be at least 16 years of age to donate blood.  Both 16 and 17 year olds need a signed parental consent to donate blood. Parental Consent Form
  • Weigh at least 113 pounds
  • Be in good health

 WHOLE BLOOD   =  EVERY 56 DAYS

Apheresis

What is Apheresis or Automated Blood Donation?

Definition: In this type of donation the donor gives specific components of their blood.  There are three main components that can be obtained from blood:  platelets, plasma and red blood cells.  Donors must first become whole blood donors to be considered for apheresis donation.  In this donation the specific component can be removed from the donor while returning the other components back to the donor during donation.  The average donation time is two hours.

Why should you consider Apheresis donation?

Whole blood donation is vital to maintaining the current blood supply.  However, when a patient needs a specific component for their treatment it is more efficient to take that one component from the blood.  For example, one donation of platelets can be donated by one patient via apheresis donation.  It would take six whole blood donations to provide the equivalent platelet donation.

Remember cancer patients may need up to eight units of platelets a week.

FREQUENCY OF DONATION VIA APHERESIS

RED BLOOD CELLS = DONATED EVERY 8 OR 16 WEEKS (for double red cells)

PLATELETS = EVERY 7 DAYS, NO MORE THAN 24 TIMES A YEAR

PLASMA = EVERY 4 WEEKS