TYPES OF DONATIONS
Every part of your blood has the power to save lives. You can choose the type of donation that works best for you—whole blood, plasma, platelets or double red blood donation. Each component has unique uses, and both during and after a donation, we can extract those components to give a recipient exactly what they need.
Keep in mind, the process can vary based on the type of donation. Eligibility varies too. We require certain qualifications to give plasma and platelets, compared to red cells and whole blood. Ask your phlebotomist what you’re eligible to donate.
WHOLE BLOOD
Donation Time: 15 Minutes*
Frequency: Every 56 Days
Location: Centers and Bloodmobiles
Whole blood donation is the most common and traditional method. A pint of blood is drawn that contains red and white cells, platelets and plasma. It’s mainly used for trauma and surgery, and shelf life is 21–35 days. This is the quickest and easiest donation.
Requirements
- At least 110 lb.
- Must be 16 (with signed parental consent form) or 17+ years old
- Always eat and drink before giving
PLATELETS
Donation Time: 2 Hours
Frequency: Every 7 Days
Location: Centers Only
Platelets are small cell fragments in the blood that help stop or prevent bleeding. They’re made in our bone marrow, and their shelf life is only five days. They are used for surgeries, transplants and to help cancer patients get through chemo.
Requirements
- Females will receive a complimentary HLA** test if they have ever been pregnant
- Must be 17+ years old
- Platelet count must be at least 150 depending on blood volume
Call 864-751-1168 to make an appointment and find a platelet donation center near you.
PLASMA
Donation Time: 1.5 hours
Frequency: Every 28 days
Location: Centers Only
Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood that transports water and nutrients to your body’s tissues. Donations can last up to 1 year and are used to help burn victims and those with bleeding disorders.
Requirements
- Females will receive a complimentary HLA** test if they have ever been pregnant
- Must be 17+ years old
Call 864-751-1168 to make an appointment and find a plasma donation center near you.
ALYX RED BLOOD CELLS
Donation Time: 1.5 Hours
Frequency: Every 112 Days
Location: Centers and Select Bloodmobiles
A concentrated red cells donation, an Alyx donation, is when only red cells are collected, not the other blood components. The donation lasts up to 42 days. Red cells are used for trauma, surgery, anemia, blood loss and disorders.
Requirements
- Must be 17+ years old
- Hemoglobin must be at 13.3
Call 864-751-1168 to make an appointment and find a Alyx donation site near you.
*The entire process, from when you arrive to when you leave, generally lasts about 45 minutes.
**Complimentary HLA tests are offered at the time of a standard whole blood donation. If you have ever been pregnant, ask about a complimentary HLA test to determine eligibility for donating platelets or plasma at your next blood donation.
SPECIAL DONATIONS
You may have heard someone say, “I’m a baby donor” or “I donate for the babies.” What does that mean? It means they are CMV negative—the person has not been exposed to the cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is a complex flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at some time in their lives. It is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the herpes virus family. This is important because in low-birthweight infants, the consequences of such infection may be severe or even fatal.
Donating blood for your own surgery is called an autologous donation. These blood units are collected and stored until the surgery. A Physician’s Request for Autologous Donation is required. Safety of the patient is always the highest priority, so the patient must meet certain health and medical criteria.
A directed donation is one where a patient chooses the donor. A physician’s order is required, and units need to be collected at least five working days prior to the planned surgery. The patient and the attending physician sign this request.
The Blood Connection provides medically prescribed phlebotomy as a community service at no charge. A physician’s order is required. Services are by appointment only.
You and your physician have decided that a treatment with PROVENGE® is advisable. The Blood Connection partners with Dendreon as a collection center at our Spartanburg, South Carolina, location. The first step in PROVENGE prostate cancer treatment is collecting blood components used to perform leukapheresis.
Prior to your leukapheresis procedure please remember to:
- Drink plenty of caffeine-free fluids for several days. The day before your procedure, please do not drink any beverages containing caffeine.
- Eat a hearty meal prior to your procedure.
- Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. The collection of your cells for PROVENGE is time sensitive.
- Bring a current picture ID (cannot be expired).