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If you're blood type is O or B,
you are especially needed as a double
red cell donor! |
Make Mine a
Double!
When you make it
a double you�ll
receive a Charter Donor T-shirt!
DOUBLE RED CELL DONATION
Benefits to
Donors:
- Smaller
needle.
- Saves you
time because you can do in one visit what would normally take you two
visits to do.
- Donate every
16 weeks instead of every 8 weeks.
- Feel better
because of fluid replacement.
- Donate less
blood volume than when you give whole blood.
- Reduces reminder calls.
It�s Quick and Simple!
The entire process takes only 20 minutes longer than
a whole blood donation. Sit back, relax and put your feet up � you�ll be
glad you did. It�s designed to save you time by making fewer visits to the
blood center. Now you can do in one visit what it would normally take two
visits to do. Save time on paperwork, travel to and from the blood center,
reminder calls, and the number of fingersticks and venipunctures! The
maximum number of donations possible in a year is reduced from 6 to 3, but
you still donate 6 units of red cells. Getting the picture? All of these add
up to time savings! Your time is precious; make it count for you and those
patients who rely on your help.
You help more
patients!
Your donation will result in two red cell transfusions for
patients. (These special units are more concentrated and have a more
consistent volume.) Depending on circumstances, you may
be the only donor for a
patient needing a red cell transfusion.
You�ll feel
better!
You should find the experience more comfortable than with other
blood donations because a smaller needle is used and you receive fluids
back. Your plasma, which contains all of your vitamins, minerals, nutrients,
and saline � its like an energy boost without the calories � is returned to
you. You leave the center more hydrated than when you came in.
Who Can be a Double Red Cell Donor?
If you meet the requirements for donating blood, you probably can give
Double Red Cells.
Donors must:
- be at least
18 years old
- be in good
health
- Males: weigh
at least 130 lbs, and height at least 5'1
- Females:
weight at least 150 lbs, and height at least 5'5
How Does the Procedure Work?
Blood is drawn from your arm with a disposable needle, connected to a
disposable collection bowl, called a �set.� The blood is mixed automatically
with an anticoagulant, and drawn into the spinning centrifuge bowl, where it
is separated into red cells and plasma. The plasma (about 250-300 ml) is
collected into a temporary storage bag. When the bowl is filled with red
cells, the plasma is mixed with sterile saline and returned to the donor.
The red cells are transferred automatically from the centrifuge bowl to a
storage bag. This process is repeated one more time, to yield two units of
red cells.
How Can I Become an Double Red Cell Donor?
If you live in North Florida, or South Georgia, call the Southeastern
Community Blood Center Apheresis Coordinator for more information at
850-877-7181.
Revised:
12/31/07
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