Explore the Different Ways You Can Donate Blood
There’s more than one way to give the gift of life — and each type of blood donation serves a unique medical need. The most common is whole blood donation, where a pint of blood is given and can be used as is or separated into red cells, plasma, and platelets for patients with trauma, surgery needs, or chronic conditions.
For donors interested in targeting specific components, apheresis donations allow a machine to collect just what’s needed — such as double red blood cells, platelets, or plasma — while returning the rest of your blood back to you. Double red cell donations provide a concentrated amount of red cells that are crucial for trauma and surgical patients, platelet donations are especially valuable for cancer and transplant patients, and plasma donations support those with clotting or burn injuries.
Each donation type has its own process and timing, but all contribute to a strong, diverse blood supply that hospitals rely on every day. Choosing the right type of donation for your blood type and schedule helps maximize your impact and ensure patients get exactly what they need.
