Whole blood contains red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Because patients seldom require all of the components of whole blood, it is rarely transfused as a unit. A whole blood donation can be separated into platelets, plasma and red cells after your donation. Each component could be transfused to a different patient, helping save more than one life.
Shelf life: |
42 days |
Common uses: |
trauma or surgery patients |
Best blood types
to donate: |
O+, O-, B+, B- |
Estimated
donation time: |
about 1 hour |
How often you
can donate |
every 56 days, up to 6 times per year |
Eligibility: |
To be eligible you must:
- weigh at least 110 lbs.
- be in good health
- not have donated whole blood in the last 56 days
- meet the minimum age requirement
- In Oregon 16-year-olds can donate with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form.
- In Washington, 16- and 17-year-olds can donate with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form.
- To obtain an American Red Cross parental consent form, please contact your blood drive coordinator or a Red Cross representative.
|
If you have specific questions about your eligibility to donate blood, please contact our Donor Care and Response Center at
CanIDonate@usa.redcross.org or call 1.800.737.0902
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