Types of Donation
Whole Blood
The most common form of blood donation is when a donor gives one unit of blood: the “whole blood donation.” After your donation, the blood is separated into its components: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. This is done to optimize every single donation made to RRVBC. Red blood cells transport oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and remove carbon dioxide and waste. More than 70% of all transfusions are red blood cells. Trauma victims and patients undergoing surgery are the most common users of red blood cells. Platelets act to induce clotting and control bleeding. Platelets only last 5 days and are commonly used to support cancer treatments and transplant patients. Plasma is 92% water and 7% protein. Plasma proteins are used to make derivatives used for patient care. These proteins are used to treat patients with bleeding and immunologic disorders.
Automation
In addition to whole blood donations, donors may choose to donate through a process called automation. State-of-the-art automated equipment is used to collect only specifically needed components of blood based on a donor’s blood type and area patient needs. Through automation, whole blood is collected, then processed through a machine that keeps only the most needed blood components and then returns the rest back to the donors along with some anti-coagulant. Automation takes slightly longer, and there are a few additional requirements for donors. By collecting the optimal number of blood components at each donation, we can help ensure that these lifesaving products are available for the community. Blood center staff help donors identify optimal donation opportunities based on blood type, hemoglobin, platelet count, height, weight and time available. Through automation, donors can donate critical platelets, double red blood cells or plasma.
Double Red Blood Cells
During a double red blood cell donation (DRBC), two units of red cells are collected while the additional components of the blood are returned to the donor. Gender, height and weight are crucial in determining whether a person can give this type of donation. In general, women must be at least 5’5″ tall and weigh at least 150 pounds, and men must be at least 5’1″ tall and weigh at least 130 pounds. An additional benefit of double red cell donation is that a donor can accomplish in just one visit what he or she normally accomplishes in two visits. You’ll feel twice as amazing!
Plateletpheresis
You’d be surprised to know how many medical procedures require platelet transfusions: such as heart surgery, burn treatments and organ transplants. Many lives are saved because of the availability of platelets every day. During a platelet donation, one, two or three units of platelets can be collected. Depending on your weight, hemoglobin and platelet level, blood center staff will suggest the optimal donation for that day. Because platelets only last 5 days, the blood center is very careful to collect what is needed within a specific time frame.
Since Automated Donation takes a little longer than a whole blood donation (the actual time depends on variables like the donor’s height and weight), we also offer a few comforts to help pass the time:
- free wireless internet access so donors can use their laptops
- TV/DVD players and headsets at each chair and full access to our DVD library, for donors to be relaxed and entertained.
- electric blankets to keep donors warm and cozy
For more information about Automated Donation, call 815-965-8751 or 1-877-RRVBC-99 (877-778-2299), or send us a question to automateddonation@rrvbc.org.
Therapeutic Phlebotomy
As a service to patients with conditions requiring a physician-prescribed treatment called “therapeutic phlebotomy,” the Rock River Valley Blood Center will gladly draw blood as ordered by your doctor. There is no charge for this type of blood draw. All therapeutic phlebotomies require an appointment, which will be scheduled after the blood center has received the physician’s order. Please click here for a Physician Request Form. Upon receipt of the physician order, the Special Services Coordinator at the Rock River Valley Blood Center will contact you to set up an appointment. For questions, please call the Special Services Coordinator at 815-965-8751 or 1-877-RRVBC-99 (877-778-2299), or send a question to directeddonation@rrvbc.org
New Policy for Hereditary Hemochromatosis
In accordance with a new policy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Rock River Valley Blood Center is now accepting Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) patients as volunteer blood donors. The new policy is the result of requests by patients with HH to have their blood used for transfusion rather than be discarded. New guidelines from the FDA have allowed for changing the eligibility criteria for blood donation by these patients. The new guidance allows donors with HH to donate under the same circumstances as any other volunteer blood donor, except that he/she may be permitted to donate more frequently than every 56 days. Please click here for more information about Hemochromatosis Policy changes.
Autologous Donation Program
An autologous blood donation is a procedure in which a patient scheduled for surgery donates his or her own blood to be stored until it is needed for non-emergency surgery.
Talk with your physician about autologous blood donation to learn about the possible need for blood during your surgery and your ability to donate for your own future use. An autologous donation requires written permission from your physician. Click here for the form. Your doctor must complete the form and fax or mail it to the blood center. You will then be contacted by the RRVBC Special Services Coordinator, who will obtain a brief medical history and schedule your appointment(s).
Questions concerning the actual donation or scheduling should be directed to the Special Services Coordinator at RRVBC, 815-965-8751 or 1-877-RRVBC-99 (1-877-778-2299), or send a question to autologousdonation@rrvbc.org.
On the day of an autologous blood donation appointment, the donor must bring a photo ID, and a list of all medications currently being taken. If you are donating more than one unit of blood it is important to take any iron supplements prescribed by your physician. Please eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids within three hours prior to donating.
Directed Donor Program
A directed donation is the personal selection of blood donors for the purpose of any blood transfusion that you may require related to surgery or other medical procedure.
The Rock River Valley Blood Center generally discourages most directed donations. For a review of the reasons for this, please click on the directed donation position statement.
Directed donations require a written request from your physician and signed consent forms from the donors and you as the recipient. See below for the appropriate forms. Your doctor must fill out the directed donation request form and fax or mail it to the blood center. You will then be contacted by the RRVBC Special Services Coordinator, who will obtain a brief medical history and then schedule appointments with your designated donors.
For more information on directed donations, please call the Special Services Coordinator at RRVBC at 815-965-8751 or 1-877-RRVBC-99 (1-877-778-2299), or send a question to directeddonation@rrvbc.org.
- Directed Donation Position Statement pdf
- Directed Donor Consent Form pdf
- Physician Request for Directed Donation pdf
- Potential Recipient Consent for Directed Donation pdf
National Marrow Donor Program