Types of donation

Apart from whole blood donation, there are also other forms of blood donation.

Whole blood donation

This is the classic form of blood donation. It involves the collection of around 450 millilitres of blood from the donor. This is the type of donation that is needed most often. Donations of whole blood are processed into more than type of one blood product; which product a patient needs depends on their specific situation.

Length and frequency of whole blood donation

It takes about 45 minutes to complete all the steps in the donation process. Normally, the interval between two donations should be 10 to 12 weeks (typically, women donate three times a year, and men four times a year).

Thrombocyte donation

During a thrombocyte (platelet) donation, a cell separator is used to specifically collect platelets from a donor. The thrombocytes are filtered out of the blood and collected in a blood bag, while the other blood components are returned to the donor.

Length and frequency of thrombocyte donation

It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to filter a sufficient volume of thrombocytes from the donor’s blood – approximately 500 ml of this blood component are collected in one donation. Since a healthy body will replenish its thrombocytes within a few days, it is normally possible for people to donate again after a 14-day wait.

Plasma donation

Like thrombocyte donation, plasma donation involves the use of an apheresis machine, which uses a centrifuge to separate the blood plasma from the other blood components (the blood cells), which are then returned to the donor. Up to 650 millilitres of plasma are collected during one plasma donation, depending on the donor’s body weight.

Length and frequency of plasma donation

A plasma donation takes about 40 minutes. Since the body loses only a very small quantity of blood cells during a donation of this type, people can normally donate again after a two-week wait.