Is it better to donate whole blood or double red cells?
A double red cell donation allows you to give twice the amount of red cells than a whole blood donation. Red blood cells are the most used blood component for surgery, trauma and treatment of blood disorders. You may donate double red cells once every 112 days.
What is the most valuable type of blood donation?
AB+ A rare blood type, AB+ donors are known as "universal plasma donors" because patients of all blood types can safely receive their plasma. Plasma donors are eligible to donate every 4 weeks.
What medications disqualify you from donating plasma?
MEDICATION DEFERRAL LIST
- Accutane.
- Antibiotics *Donors who are taking antibiotics are eligible to donate 24 hours after their last dose.
- Anti-Platelet Medications.
- Avodart.
- Blood thinners (such as Coumadin, Heparin, Lovenox, Warfarin)
- Bovine insulin.
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin.
- Human-derived growth hormones.
What is the difference between whole blood and automated donation?
Also whole blood donations need to be sent to the lab to separate the blood components, and then the red cells need to be filtered. With an automated donation, the red cells are separated and filtered immediately, making them readily available, after routine testing, for the patients who desperately need them.