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Apheresis is a Special
Donation
A-pher-e-sis \ A-fer-E-sis \ Derived from the Greek work meaning to take away from or withdraw. Apheresis is an unusual kind of blood donation. Instead of giving whole blood, as in a regular donation, a donor gives a specific component of blood. Such components include plasma, platelets or white cells. In a regular whole blood donation, blood is drawn from the arm in about six to eight minutes. Because your body needs time to replace its iron loss, a 56 day interval is required between blood donations. An apheresis donation takes about one and a half hours. Using sterile, disposable, plastic tubing, blood is drawn from one arm and passed through a blood-separating instrument that separates and collects a single blood component. The remaining blood components, including the red cells, are returned to you through the other arm. Apheresis procedures are used to collect plasma, platelets or white cells. Your body quickly replaces the component taken out, normally within 24 to 48 hours. Apheresis procedures are performed by qualified apheresis personnel. Simply relax and enjoy a movie, while resting in a comfortable contour chair. Apheresis Helps Many Cancer, organ transplants, leukemia - each day we become more aware of these illnesses because our families, friends and neighbors are being affected by them. Too often we wish there was something, anything, we could do to help. We may be frustrated because we must stand by helplessly and watch those we care about suffering and in need. But you can make a difference. Patients undergoing cancer therapy, recovering from organ and bone marrow transplants, and those with leukemia or aplastic anemia, have low levels of platelets. This inhibits their ability to fight infections. Also, platelets are damaged by diseases and by side effects of anti-cancer drugs or radiation therapy. A person who normally has 200,000 platelets per drop of blood may have a platelet count of only 100 to 50,000 when suffering from a disease like leukemia. Platelets The need for blood and blood products is continually growing. Some patients develop a sensitivity to donated products and need to receive platelets that are carefully matched; therefore, a special donor may be called upon for a specific patient. For other patients, healthy individuals can be their donors. Plasma In addition to platelets and white cells, a unit of plasma may be collected. Plasma helps patients with bleeding problems, people who need massive transfusions, and helps quickly minimize the effects of blood thinning medications. Plasma is also used to help people with TTP, a platelet disorder, and people who have been severely burned. You Can Make a Difference You may be able to become an apheresis donor if you:
Donations can be made twice a month, or donors can request to be called when needed. * In the Connecticut region, 65 is the upper age limit for a first time apheresis donor. There is no upper age limit for donors that start the apheresis program before age 65.
One platelet donation yields as many platelets as 6 to 8 whole blood donations. Your body replaces these platelets within 24-48 hours.
The Donation Process An apheresis donation takes approximately one and one-half hours. With registration, medical history and refreshments, the process takes about two hours.
Make a Career Out of Being a Hero For more information about apheresis donation, call the American Red Cross Blood Services, Connecticut region at (860) 678-2749.
[Home] [Up] [Autologous] [Directed] [Plasma] [Premarital] [Blood Drive Page] Send mail to bloodct@usa.redcross.org with questions or comments about this web site. Updated: 10/08/99 |
are between the ages of
17 and 65*