The
Benefits of Automated Blood Donation
The patients benefit most because they are receiving your life-saving
blood. Automated donations ensure that the blood components
patients need come from fewer donors, which decreases the likelihood
of transfusion reactions that can occur from multiple donor
products |
The
Automated Donation Process
During your donation, blood is drawn from one arm and channeled
through a sterile, single-use tubing set to an automated system.
The automated system separates and collects the most needed
components and then safely returns the remaining blood components
back to you |
A
Safe Procedure
Donor safety is our top priority. Automated collections are
very safe. The process uses a disposable, sterile, single-use
needle and tubing set. Also, the automated system is designed
specifically to customize the products collected from you to
assure you do not give too much blood. |
How
the Program Works
By knowing daily patient needs and using automated blood collection
technologies, we are able to tailor your blood donation to local
demands. When customizing your donation we consider factors
like your blood type and how many times per year you donate. |
| How
Your Automated Donation Helps Patients |
| Platelets
are
essential for blood clotting. They are routinely needed to support
cancer therapy, open-heart surgery, blood disorders and organ
transplants. Platelets must be transfused within 5 days, requiring
the supply to be constantly replenished. Donors can give platelets
up to 24 times per year. |
| Red
Blood Cells
carry oxygen to all parts of the body. They are most needed
after significant blood loss through surgery or anemia. Donors
can donate red blood cells up to 4 times per year. O negative
is the universal red cell donor. |
| Plasma
is the liquid portion of the blood containing critical clotting
factors. Plasma is used to treat patients with certain bleeding
disorders and for plasma exchanges. Plasma can be given every
30 days. AB is the universal plasma donor. |
The
Difference Between Whole Blood and Automated Donations
When you donate whole blood, the unit is separated into its
three main components: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Surprisingly, it takes the combined efforts of six whole blood
donors to produce ONLY ONE unit of transfusable platelets. |
| Automated
blood donations are the most efficient since you, as ONE person
making ONE donation, can give full transfusable units of those
components most needed by patients. |
How
Your Automated Blood Donation Helps: |
| A
bone marrow recipient |
An
automobile accident victim |
| needs
up to 20 units of red blood cells |
needs
up to 50 units of red blood cells |
| and
120 units of platelets. |
� |
| � |
� |
| A
sickle cell anemia patient |
A
cancer patient |
| needs
up to 14 units of red blood cells per |
needs
up to 8 units of platelets per week. |
| treatment |
� |
| � |
� |
| A
heart surgery patient |
An
organ transplant recipient |
| needs
up to 6 units of red blood cells |
needs
40 units of blood cells, 30 units
of |
| and
6 units of platelets |
platelets and 25 units of plasma. |
| � |
To
be a part of our life-saving team, |
or
to schedule an appointment, |
please
call 201-251-3733. |
