Types Of Blood Donation

Suncoast Communities Blood Bank provides donors with several methods of donating blood and blood products.

Whole Blood
When you make a whole blood donation, one unit of blood is drawn. Later, in our products manufacturing department, the unit is separated into several components, such as red cells, plasma, and platelets.

Double Red Cell
Red cells are needed by more patients than any other blood component. The double red cell procedure allows the blood bank to select just red cells from the blood. Two units of red cells are collected during the procedure. Everything else is returned to you along with additional fluids. This procedure allows you to double your impact with one visit. There are additional eligibility requirements to give a double red cell donation.

Red Cell/Plasma
When you donate using the red cell/plasma procedure, the blood bank draws your blood, keeping only the red cells and plasma, and returns the rest to you along with additional fluids to help replace those lost during the procedure. The red cells and plasma are separated during the procedure. Anyone who is eligible to make a whole blood donation is eligible to donate using the red cell/plasma procedure.

Platelet Pheresis
The platelet pheresis procedure selects out just platelets from your blood and returns everything else back to you along with additional fluids. Platelets help control bleeding and are used by many people such as cancer and transplant patients and burn victims.