What is Apheresis?

When you donate blood for the first time, you’ll be encouraged to donate whole blood. But based on your blood type and patient needs, your ideal blood donation could actually be platelets, double red cells, or plasma.

The process for these donations is slightly different than when you give a whole blood donation using a procedure called apheresis, or automated donation.

Blood is made up of multiple components. Apheresis is a procedure where blood is taken and separated into its individual components – whole blood, plasma and platelets. The desired component is saved, or a combination (such as red cells and platelets), while the other components are returned to the body during the donation process.

Donating platelets, double red cells, and plasma helps more people and saves more lives.

Your ideal blood donation can make all the difference.