Get Automated
Whole blood is a combination of components, including platelets,
red blood cells, plasma and white blood cells. Automated donation
separates these components, taking only specific cells, so that
donors can have a direct influence on daily patient needs. The
selected cells are accumulated while remaining cells are returned
to the donor using one-arm or two-arm technology.
This technology allows donors to give a larger quantity of specific
cells than a standard donation so your donation has a bigger
impact. For example, one automated platelet donor produces one
complete platelet dose for a patient. Meanwhile, it takes eight
whole blood donors pooled together to produce one complete platelet
dose.
What’s the impact?
- One unit of platelets can support leukemia/cancer therapy,
open-heart surgery or organ transplants;
- Double red blood cell donations are the most needed with
trauma, surgery or anemia;
- Plasma units are used to treat patients with bleeding
disorders;
- White blood cells are used when other antibiotic therapies have
failed for fighting infection.
An automated donation can make the difference between saving the
lives of one or two patients. The process takes 90-120 minutes to
complete and is completely safe. Donors must meet the same
eligibility requirements as a whole blood donor and are asked not
to take aspirin or aspirin-like products 48 hours prior to the
automated donation. Your FBC phlebotomist will be able to help you
determine if automated is the best option for you.
If you are interested in becoming an automated donor
email us or call 1.888.9.DONATE.
