Automated Blood Donation

What is Automated Blood Donation?

Automated blood collection (also known as apheresis) is a special type of blood donation that allows a donor to give multiple blood components, such as red blood cells, platelets or plasma. During the procedure, all but the needed blood components are returned to the donor.

The type of blood donation that you are probably most familiar with is called whole blood donation. Automated donation can save three lives simultaneously.

Why is Blood Separated?

Patients need different types of blood components depending on their illness or injury.

• Red Blood Cells are made in the marrow of bones, especially the vertebrae, ribs, hips, skull and sternum. These disc-shaped cells, which contain hemoglobin, are carried by plasma.
• Platelets are the blood component that help control bleeding. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets collect at the site of the injury and temporarily repair the tear. Platelets then activate substances in plasma which form a clot and allow the wound to heal.
• Plasma is the fluid component of the blood that carries other blood cells, nutrients and clotting factors throughout our bodies. These essential cells fight infection, carry oxygen and help control bleeding.

Who Needs Platelets?

Many lifesaving medical treatments are performed with platelets. Patients with cancer, blood disorders or severe injuries require platelet transfusions to survive. Because platelets can be stored for only seven days, the need for platelet donations is continuous.

Platelet Facts:

• Platelets are made in your bone marrow. They are the smallest blood component in our bodies.
• Their primary function is to promote clotting to control bleeding.
• Patients that are being treated for cancer and have chemo therapies often require platelet transfusions. In fact, every 15 minutes a cancer patient, trauma victim or person with a serious chronic illness need a platelet transfusion to survive.
• The shelf life of platelets is only 7 days. Donors are needed every day to replenish the supply.

Who Needs Plasma?

By giving your plasma through the automated collection process you will be sharing life-giving transfusions to patients suffering from burns, traumas and bleeding disorders.

Who Can be an Automated Donor?

If you meet the requirements for donating blood, you may be able to donate platelets or automated red cells. Apheresis donors must:

• Be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent)
• Be in good health
• Weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if 16 years old)
• For platelets:
  • Donors must not have taken aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Plavix or other products containing aspirin 48 hours prior to donation
    Download Platelet Donation Information - PDF
  • Not have been pregnant more than three times
  • All female donors who would like to become a platelet donors and have ever been pregnant will be tested for the presence of the TRALI antibody.
    Download Female Platelet Donor Information - PDF
  • Automated Double Red Cell donation ( Alyx) .
    Download Automated Red Cell Donation Information - PDF

Is Automated Donation Safe?

Donation equipment is sterile and discarded after every donation, making it virtually impossible to contract a disease from the process.

Each donation is closely supervised throughout the procedure by trained staff. A small percentage of your platelets and plasma are collected, so there is no risk of bleeding problems. Your body will replace the donated platelets within 24 hours and donated plasma within two to three days.

Donors that give a double red cell unit will be asked to refrain from any type of blood donation for 112 days.

How Does the Procedure Work?

Blood is drawn from your arm through sterile tubing into a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood to separate the components, which vary in weight and density. A port is opened along the spinning tubing at the level containing either the platelets or the plasma to be donated. These platelets or plasma are drawn up into a collection bag, while the remaining blood components (red cells and plasma or platelets) are returned to you through your other arm.

Depending on your weight and height, the entire automated donation process may take up to two hours. You may watch television, listen to music or simply sit back and relax while helping to save a life.

To learn more or to become an automated blood donor call 732-235-8100 ext. 221, 908-685-2926 or email donateblood@rwhbh.org