What is the most needed blood donation

Why Your Donation Matters

Types of Donation

• Whole blood is the most common type of donation.
• Blood from one donation can be divided into two components: red blood cells and plasma.
• The average adult has about 10 pints of blood, but a typical whole-blood donation is only 1 pint.
• Red blood cells have a short shelf life. They only last for 6 weeks (42 days).
• Donating whole blood takes only about 10-15 minutes.
• You can donate whole blood every 56 days—and we encourage you to donate as often as possible.

• Platelets are small, disc-shaped cells that aid in blood clotting.
• They are donated most often to cancer patients, organ recipients and those undergoing heart surgeries.
• Patients who need platelets often require multiple transfusions. That's why it's so important to donate as often as you can.
• Platelets do not last long. They have a shelf life of just 5 days.
• Those who have A, A-negative, B, B-negative, AB or AB-negative blood types are strongly encouraged to donate platelets.
• Donors are connected to a machine that separates platelets and some plasma from the blood and returns the red cells (and most of the plasma) back to the donor.
• Donating platelets takes approximately 90 minutes.
• You can donate platelets every 7 days, up to 24 times a year.

• Plasma is the light yellow liquid in your blood that makes up 50% of total blood volume. It contains proteins that help control bleeding and fight infections.
• It's used to treat various types of bleeding disorders. It's also given to patients who have suffered major traumatic injuries.
• Plasma can be frozen for up to a year.
• If you have type AB blood, you are a universal plasma donor.
• People who have blood types AB, AB-negative, A, A-negative, B or B-negative also are ideal donors for platelets.
• Donors are connected to a machine that separates out plasma and returns red cells to the body.
• Plasma donation takes about 40 minutes.
• You may donate plasma every 28 days.

• Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.
• Donors are hooked up to a machine that collects the red cells and returns most of the plasma and platelets to the body.
• Donations from type O donors are crucial to maintaining blood levels in the body.
• Double red-cell donors with type O, O-negative, B or B-negative types, as well as donors with Rh-negative blood are in short supply.
• You must meet higher hemoglobin and height-to-weight requirements to donate double red cells.
• Double red cell donations take approximately 40 minutes.
• You can donate double red blood cells once every 16 weeks (112 days).

• Friends and family members can donate blood for their loved ones.
• Directed donations should be scheduled no later than 7 business days before the patient's blood transfusion.
• To arrange a directed donation, the patient's attending physician should contact the Blood Donor Services team at 310-423-2414.
• To schedule an appointment, call 310-423-4170.
• If you've already donated for a particular patient and want to know if your donation is suitable for the intended recipient, call 310-423-5417.

Blood Types

Compatibility

Why Your Donation Matters

Types O-negative (O-) and O-positive (O+) are best suited to donate red blood cells. O-negative is the universal blood type, meaning that anyone can receive your blood. And O- and O+ blood are both extra special when it comes to traumas where there is no time for blood typing. Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every eight weeks. Double red cell blood donors are eligible every 16 weeks. Donors age 17 and 18 may donate every 6 months.

Platelets

A platelet donation may be a great option for any blood type, depending on the current blood supply and your unique body composition. Inquire when you make your appointment or at your scheduled donation if platelet donation is right for you!

Plasma

Psst: AB blood types, you’re the VIPs of this world. In fact, we could say you’re a member of the A(B)-list. This type is so elite, only 3% of people in the U.S. fit the bill. As the universal plasma donor, your plasma is safe for all.

It’s not an exclusive AB party, though. People of all blood types can donate plasma, and unlike other types of blood donations, they’re eligible to donate plasma every four (4) weeks.

Your blood type (also known as a blood group) helps determine what kind of blood donation might be best for you to give.  There are three kinds of donation: blood, plasma and platelets. If you're male and have donated plasma in the past 12 months, we'll speak to you about donating platelets. 

If you don’t know your blood type, book a plasma donation. After your first donation, we can tell you your blood type and talk about the best donation for you to give next time. 

Australia needs a steady supply of donations, but the specific amounts of each kind change daily. Sometimes that may affect what we need you to donate too.   

Even if you can’t make a certain kind of donation for health or other reasons, keep donating what you can. You're still changing lives! 

Don’t know your type? We'll let you know after your first donation. Find your nearest donor centre and book a donation today.

Find a donor centre