Blood Donor Basics
Your health is important to us, and we want to help you maintain it.
When donating double red blood cells we only collect your red blood cells and not your platelets or plasma. This type of donation is done using a process called automation (sometimes referred to as apheresis).
Automated technology allows donors to give twice the amount of their red cells than compared to a whole blood donation. Automation enables us to collect only the most needed component(s) of the donor’s blood. Red blood cells are the most transfused blood product. People with O type blood and those with certain Rh negative blood types are encouraged to donate double red blood cells because it is their red cells that are in the highest demand by the hospitals.
Donors must meet certain requirements to donate double red blood cells:
Must weigh at least 130 pounds and be 5’1” or taller.
Must weigh at least 150 pounds and be 5’5” or taller. (Yes, this is correct. Requirements are based on blood volume, which is typically lower in females than in males.)
Every 112 days for a total of 3 donations a year.
Your health is important to us, and we want to help you maintain it.
Your help as our community partner is essential to the blood supply.
Let your blood type lead the way to donate your powerful lifesaving gift.
Help your community understand the impact blood donation has.