Apheresis donations occur using a special machine that separates blood into its individual components. Blood is collected into a sterile tubing set, mixed with anticoagulant, and separated into specific components. By targeting the specific components we can collect a larger volume of the intended product. Platelets, plasma, and packed red blood cells can all be collected by apheresis, and each apheresis donation can yield several doses of life-saving blood products.
Platelet Donation The platelet donation process takes approximately two hours, plus the typical time for registration, screening, and refreshments. Because platelets have a shelf life of just five days, it is critical to have a constant supply. Your body is able to replenish platelets very quickly, and you may donate as frequently as once every seven days, but no more than 24 times in a 12-month period.
Platelets help control bleeding and are used in large quantities over extended periods of time by leukemia, cancer, aplastic anemia and marrow transplant patients. Platelets also are used during surgery to help stop bleeding.
In addition to meeting the requirements for whole blood donation, platelet donors must not have taken aspirin for 48 hours. Additionally, platelet donors must not have taken antiplatelet medications (consult the Medication Deferral List).
Plasma Donation The plasma donation process takes approximately one hour, plus the typical time for registration, screening, and refreshments. We encourage AB-positive & AB-negative donors to consider plasma donations since AB plasma is the universal plasma type and can be transfused to people of any blood type. You may donate plasma every 28 days.
Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood and is used in the treatment of bleeding, clotting problems, and trauma. It can also be transfused to help organ transplant recipients and premature infants.
Paid Plasma Donation: Plasma can be turned into lifesaving medicines such as albumin and immunoglobulins in a process called fractionation. Most fractionation is conducted in Europe where a shortage of donors means that plasma is needed for import from the United States. Much of the medicine is returned to the US for patients here.
Because of the processing involved, donor standards are significantly different for plasma for further manufacture than standards for donors donating plasma for transfusion directly to patients - This is why for-profit plasma centers are allowed to pay their "donors." NCCBB collects plasma for transfusion and does not pay donors
Double Red Blood Cell Donation: The double red blood cell donation takes approximately 30 minutes, plus the typical time for registration, screening, and refreshments. In a double red blood cell donation, twice the typical amount of red blood cells are collected and the remaining plasma is returned to the donor.
The oxygen-rich red blood cells are most often used for surgery or trauma patients, but there is a 112-day deferral period between donations and donors are only allowed three of these donations per year.
Tips for Your Apheresis Donation Just like preparing for a whole blood donation, it is important to eat well and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid fatty foods, such as fatty/processed meats, deep fried foods, full fat cheese, cream based soups. Fats in the plasma/platelets can interfere with our ability to test the blood. Calcium-rich foods can help reduce the symptoms associated with the anticoagulant used during apheresis collections. Report any discomfort associated with the donation to the blood bank staff. Our staff is here to make your donation as comfortable as possible!