Blood donation is one of the most meaningful and life saving acts a person can perform. January is National Blood Donor Month, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about the critical importance of donating blood and encouraging those who are eligible to give. Donating blood helps countless individuals receive the gift of life every single day.
4 Types of Blood Donation You Should Know
There are four types of blood donation you can make, and eligibility differs for each one:
Whole Blood: This type of blood donation is the most flexible and can be transfused in its original form, or it can help multiple people by separating it into its different components including red cells, plasma, and platelets. You generally give about one pint of your blood.
Red Cells (Power Red): With this blood donation, you give a concentrated dose of red cells to help those who need transfusions as part of their medical care. It involves an automated process that separates the red blood cells from the other components and returns the plasma and platelets back to you.
Platelets: These are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. They are most often used for cancer patients and individuals facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. A machine collects your platelets along with some plasma and returns your red cells and most of the plasma back to you. A single platelet blood donation can supply several transferable units, while it takes about five whole blood donations to make up a single transferable unit of platelets.
Plasma: This part of your blood is used to treat patients in emergencies. AB plasma can be given to anyone regardless of blood type. Your plasma is collected through an automated process that separates it from the other components and returns your red blood cells and platelets back to you.
How Long Can Donated Blood Be Stored
Blood can be stored for a limited period of time before use. Red cells can be stored in refrigerators for up to 42 days, platelets at room temperature for 5 days, and plasma and cryo in freezers for up to one year. Because of this, there is always a constant and urgent need for a regular supply of blood donation.
The National Blood Donor Month Crisis
The American Red Cross, which supplies 40% of the nation’s blood, recently declared a national blood crisis after facing its worst shortage in over a decade. The pandemic created many obstacles for donors, volunteers, and donation center staff. As a result, the Red Cross reported a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood, worsened further by surges related to the Delta and Omicron variants.
This shortage has led to doctors making difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who must join a waitlist. These are serious decisions, given that patients such as accident victims, cancer patients, and those with blood disorders cannot afford delays in their medical treatment.
Why Your Blood Donation Matters
Every blood donation has the potential to save up to 3 lives. National Blood Donor Month exists to remind us that the need for blood never stops, and neither should our commitment to giving. At FOMAT, we are proud to support health awareness initiatives that empower communities to take action for the benefit of others. Whether you donate blood, encourage a friend to donate, or simply share information about blood donation resources, every action counts toward keeping our blood supply strong and our communities healthy.
We encourage those who can donate blood to consider doing so today. Visit the resources below to find out if you qualify and how you can donate: