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Donate Blood
Automated Blood Donation is a Life-Saving Connection
To meet the ever-increasing need for blood, the Divide and Multiply automated donation program was created to help optimize each donor's donation so we can better meet the needs of our community hospitals. All blood donors can make automated donations if they meet the criteria, however Type O- and O+ donors are especially needed. Click here to read our "Frequently Asked Questions" about automated donations.
Who Can Make an Automated Donation?
Male (minimum criteria)
Weight: 130 pounds
Height: 5'1"
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Female (minimum criteria)
Weight: 130 pounds
Height: 5'5"
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Advantages of Automation for Donors
The most-needed blood products can be collected
A smaller needle is used
Less blood is removed than during a whole blood donation
One donation can save the lives of multiple patients
Donors feel better because fluid is replaced during their donations
The waiting period until the next donation is longer (112 days) which means fewer trips to the blood center and fewer telemarketing calls
Advantages of Automation for Patients
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:
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A bone marrow recipient needs up to 20 units of red blood cells and 120 units of platelets.
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An automobile accident victim needs up to 50 units of red blood cells
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A sickle cell anemia patient needs up to 14 units of red blood cells per treatment
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A cancer patient needs up to 8 units of platelets per week.
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A heart surgery patient needs up to 6 units of red blood cells and 6 units of platelets
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An organ transplant recipient needs 40 units of blood cells, 30 units of 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.
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