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Donating Blood Components
With a method called apheresis (ay-fur-EE-sis), you can donate individual blood components such as platelets, plasma, and red blood cells. A special machine separates out the needed component and returns the rest of the blood to you. The information below applies to plateletpheresis. For details regarding plasmapheresis or red blood cell apheresis, call the Nursing Office at the Michigan Community Blood Centers location nearest you (toll-free 1-866-MIBLOOD).
Apheresis Donor Requirements
- Healthy
- At least 17 years old
- No aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs in the past 48 hours
- Appointment required
Apheresis Donation
- A small percentage of your total platelets are collected at one time; your body will replace the platelets you donated in about 72 hours
- Supplies are sterile and used just one time, then properly disposed
- Takes about twice as long as regular whole-blood donation
- Watch TV or videos, listen to music, read, or relax during the procedure
- For appointment or eligibility questions, call toll free 1-866-MIBLOOD (1-866-642-5663) for Nursing Dept. staff at the Michigan Community Blood Center in your area
How It Works
- Blood goes from your arm through sterile tubing into centrifuge
- Centrifuge spins blood to separate components, which vary in weight and density
- Platelets are drawn up through a port into a collection bag
- The remaining blood components (red cells and plasma) return to you.
Why Apheresis Donation is Important
Patients may need different components. Someone who is hemorrhaging may need platelets to help control bleeding and temporarily repair blood vessel damage. People being treated for cancer often need platelets because they can’t produce enough of these blood cells. Burn victims may need plasma to help replace blood volume and restore delivery of blood cells, nutrients, enzymes, and hormones throughout the body.
The Apheresis Advantage
Six times more platelets can be collected at one time through apheresis than through whole-blood donation. The average whole-blood donation provides just 2 tablespoons of platelets, so platelets from multiple whole-blood donations must be “pooled” to get enough for one platelet transfusion. In contrast, one apheresis donation yields enough platelets to make an entire platelet transfusion. Because platelets last only 5 days, continual and abundant donations are needed to keep up with demand.
© Michigan Community Blood Centers
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