Blood Donation Basics
Giving blood is as easy as 1, 2, 3. It can take 15 minutes to about an hour, but your impact will last a lifetime. Discover more about how to donate and share your power to save lives.
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About Blood
Blood has four basic components and eight unique blood types. Learn about why blood donation is needed, and how blood is used to save lives.
About Blood
Blood circulates through our body and delivers essential substances like oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells.
Every two seconds of every day, someone needs blood.
Platelets help stop bleeding in people who have transplant or cardiac surgeries.
Donation Methods
There is more than one way to give blood. Let your blood type take the lead in targeting the best way for you to donate your powerful, lifesaving gift.
Whole Blood Donation
Whole blood donation is the method that individuals are most familiar with. This is the traditional way of donating and allows us to draw a pint of blood containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma at one time.
Double Red Cell DonationDuring a double red blood cell donation we only collect your red blood cells, excluding the platelets and plasma. This specialized donation process, known as automation or apheresis, focuses on extracting red blood cells.
Platelet DonationDuring a platelet donation, we only collect your platelets, returning the rest of the blood components. This specialized donation process is known as automation, or apheresis.
Whole blood donation is the method that individuals are most familiar with. This is the traditional way of donating and allows us to draw a pint of blood containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma at one time.
During a double red blood cell donation we only collect your red blood cells, excluding the platelets and plasma. This specialized donation process, known as automation or apheresis, focuses on extracting red blood cells.
During a platelet donation, we only collect your platelets, returning the rest of the blood components. This specialized donation process is known as automation, or apheresis.
