One donation, many uses
Blood components, explained.
Your blood is not one thing, centres separate it into components so one donation can help up to three different patients. Here's what each part is and who needs it.
Whole blood
the classic donation
About 350,450 ml of blood exactly as it is, red cells, plasma and platelets together. The donation itself take…
Red cells (pRBC)
packed red blood cells
The oxygen-carrying component, separated from your whole-blood donation and concentrated into a small pack.…
Platelets
the clotting component
The tiny cells that stop bleeding. From one whole-blood donation you get one small dose; an apheresis donation…
Plasma
the liquid component
The pale liquid carrying proteins, salts and clotting factors, about 55% of your blood volume.…
Apheresis donation
component donation
A machine draws your blood, keeps only the component the patient needs (platelets or plasma), and returns ever…