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Master Page
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Why We Donate Blood ? |
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A blood donation truly is a “gift of life” that a healthy individual can give to others in their community who are sick or injured. In one hour’s time, a person can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into three individual components that could help save multiple lives. From one unit of blood, red blood cells can be separated for use in and medical, obstetrical, trauma or surgical patients. Plasma, the liquid part of blood, is administered to patients with clotting problems. The third component of blood, platelets, clot the blood when cuts or other open wounds occur, and are often used in cancer and transplant patients. Cryoprecipitated anti-hemophilic factor (AHF) is also used for clotting factors.
In a recent study supported by the National Blood Foundation (TRANSFUSION 2002;42:122S), more than 5,000 individuals who were current blood donors at the time or who had given blood in the past were asked why they donate blood. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents said that they give blood to help others. Respondents also said that giving blood makes them feel good about themselves; supports their local communities and hospitals; supports their community culture; and “pays back” society for the times when they or their families have needed blood transfusions in the past.
For all of these reasons and more, donating blood is a good idea.
Donation Types
Blood Bank collects four main types of blood product donations. Below is a general description of each of these donation types. To learn more about the donation type and specific donation process, click on the appropriate title.
Whole Blood Donation - the most common type of blood donation in which the donor provides approximately one pint of whole blood. Whole blood donations can be separated into three components – red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. One whole blood donation can save up to three lives.
Apheresis Donation - a donation in which whole blood is withdrawn, a desired component separated and retained, and the remainder of the blood returned to the donor. The three most common types of apheresis donations are double red blood cell, platelets and plasma.
Autologous Donation – a blood donation for use by the patient/donor.
Directed Donation – a donation that has been collected for a specific person (e.g. family member, friend in need, etc.). The patient or the patient’s representative asks family members and friends to donate on their behalf. Blood types must be compatible between donor and intended recipient.
Types of Blood Donors:
There are different types of blood (and or plasma) donors as per their inner urge and motivation to donate blood and or plasma.
- Paid donor: Blood donor who donates blood for money, however, paid blood donation may not be his profession.
- Professional donor: This main profession is this type of donor is blood donation and they make livelihood on this profession.
- Captive donors: This type of donor are donating under force from superior or a person to whom the donor is heavily dependent.
- Family replacement donors: Donor who donate blood only when family members need blood, specially in a hospital setting.
- Frienze motivated donors: These donors are voluntary donors however, the are often motivated by frinze benefits like small token gifts, leave in lieu of donation or any benefits which usually do not attract money
- Altruistic donor: This type of donors are real voluntary donor who donate with altruism in mind.
- Aphaeresis donor: This procedure takes longer time than whole blood donation and many a times it need donation at odd hours. They are committed donor to the bloodbanks.
- Directed donors: When a blood donor donate an unit of blood which is meant to transfusion to a particular patient.
- Autologous donor: If a donor donates for self for intended clinical future need.
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