Donating Platelets vs. Whole Blood
Though we do not collect whole blood donations at PlasmaSource, it may be helpful to understand the differences between donating blood and donating blood platelets.
Whole blood is made up of four components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
Platelets are a single component of blood, and their primary function is to encourage coagulation (clotting) and to help prevent unwanted or excessive bleeding.
How Is Whole Blood Used?
Victims of trauma who suffer significant blood loss may need a rapid transfusion of blood to replenish their blood supply. Those undergoing certain surgeries may also require blood transfusions. Gastrointestinal bleeding, sometimes caused by a bleeding ulcer, can result in substantial blood loss as well, making a transfusion vital for survival and recovery.
Whole blood may also be used to help those with sickle cell disease. This disease causes someone’s red blood cells to become misshapen, leading to pain and other complications. A transfusion of normal red blood cells from a donor can help relieve these complications. People with sickle cell disease may need multiple transfusions of blood each year to minimize pain and reduce their risk of stroke.
Whole blood may be used for situations involving loss of all blood components (e.g., trauma or certain surgeries). It can also be separated into its components—red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
Though platelets can be separated from whole blood donations and used for transfusions, a platelet donation at a facility like PlasmaSource can yield two to four times the concentration of platelets compared to a whole blood donation.
How are Platelets Used?
Platelet transfusions can help benefit people with a platelet deficiency caused by various diseases or injuries.
Cancer patients receive approximately 50% of all platelet donations.
Treatments like chemotherapy can impair the bone marrow’s ability to regenerate platelets, leaving individuals at risk for bleeding. Platelet transfusions allow them to continue their treatments and procedures and lower their risk of dangerous bleeding.
Patients with blood disorders, bone marrow disorders, trauma victims, and transplant recipients may also require blood platelets.
How Is a Platelet Donation Process Different?
In whole blood donation, about one pint of blood is collected and preserved for eventual transfusion. After a donation, which typically lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, donors usually rest, rehydrate, and have a snack.
When you donate platelets, an apheresis machine extracts platelet cells from your blood. The remaining blood components—red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma—are returned to you, along with sterile saline. Saline promotes rehydration and may help reduce fatigue.
The platelet collection process can last about 2 hours. As with whole blood donation, you’ll be encouraged to rehydrate, rest, and follow any post-donation instructions.
How Long Are Whole Blood and Platelet Donations Viable?
Whole blood donations are kept cold until used, and an anticoagulant is typically added to prevent clotting. Whole blood typically lasts between 21 and 35 days.
Platelets are stored at room temperature until use and must be gently agitated constantly to prevent clumping. They must be used within five days of donation.
How Often Can You Donate Platelets vs. Blood?
- You can donate whole blood once every 56 days up to 6 times yearly.
- You can donate platelets once every seven days up to 24 times yearly.
Considering Platelet Donation? Choose PlasmaSource
Donating platelets can change lives. By donating, you can help patients in need, support disease prevention research, and facilitate the development of pharmaceuticals.
At PlasmaSource, we value your safety and comfort. Our streamlined process makes donating easy, and we follow all FDA health, safety, and cleaning protocols throughout the donation process. We also use state-of-the-art processing technology with 100% sterile, single-use materials.
If you are searching for a platelet donation center in Illinois, we hope you will consider PlasmaSource.
Learn more about our process and eligibility requirements for platelet donation or schedule an appointment today.
