Apheresis Donations
Do something Extraordinary today and make an Apheresis Donation!
 Make an Apheresis Donation!
An apheresis donor is an extraordinary person.
Apheresis donors are called upon to make a special kind of donation to give select components
- platelets, red blood cells, plasma. Apheresis donations are an essential part of treatment
for patients with cancer and other life-threatening medical conditions. By becoming an apheresis
donor, you can make a huge contribution to these critically-ill patients with special transfusion
needs. Do something EXTRAORDINARY and DONATE today!
What is apheresis?
Apheresis <a.fe.REE.sis> is the process of separating blood into its different components: Platelets, Red
Blood Cells (RBCs) and Plasma. Apheresis donations allow us to collect what our patients
need and return the rest of the blood to the donor.
PLATELETS are essential for blood clotting. Platelet transfusions are
routinely needed to support patients undergoing cancer therapy, open-heart surgery, organ
transplantation, and for patients with bleeding disorders. Platelets have a very short shelf-life
and must be transfused within five days of collection. This requires constant replenishment
of the hospital supply. Platelet donations can be made up to 24 times per year.
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| UCLA employee Aaron Giacosa has donated over 10 gallons at the Blood & Platelet
Center! |
RED BLOOD
CELLS (RBCs)
carry oxygen to all partsof the body. Red cell transfusions are most needed after significant
blood loss due to trauma, surgery, or to treat anemia. A single red blood cell donation can
be made every 8 weeks; a double RBC donation, collected by apheresis, can be made every 16
weeks. Eligibility for a double red cell donation has special requirements, including higher
hemoglobin levels. Type O donors are in high demand because they are “universal” red
cell donors. Their RBCs can be used for transfusion for patients with any blood type.
PLASMA is the liquid portion of the blood containing critical clotting
factors. Plasma is used to treat patients with coagulation factor deficiencies, such as patients
with liver failure, and those patients with certain bleeding disorders. Plasma donations
can be made every 4 weeks. Type AB donors are in high demand because they are “universal” plasma
donors. Their plasma can be used to treat all patients.
What are the benefits of an Apheresis versus a Whole Blood Donation?
- Apheresis donors can help more patients by donating more units during
each donation.
- Apheresis collections are optimized based on donor/patient blood types, the
donor's ability and desire to donate, and the patients' transfusion needs.
- Only the blood
components needed are collected for our patients; the other components are returned to the
donor.
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Making an Apheresis Donation is SAFE and Easy.
Donor safety is our top
priority - automated blood
collections are very safe. During the donation, blood is
drawn from one arm using a sterile needle and
channeled through single-use tubing into a single-use
sterile collection kit within the apheresis machine. The
machine spins the blood to separate it, collects the
most needed components and safely returns the
remaining blood through the same sterile needle used
for collection.
To assure that only a safe amount of
blood is taken, the collection process is customized
based on the donor's physical size and donation
frequency, as well as multiple other factors.
To ensure that our donors are comfortable and
enjoy their donation experience, we have the new e-Chair! It
is a state-of-the-art donor chair that provides a number
of audio, visual and electronic communication
functions. It provides donors with the opportunity to do
something for themselves, while donating lifesaving
blood components for others.
 How will my blood donation help UCLA patients?
A Cancer Patient can require up to 2 units of platelets per week.
An Automobile Accident
Victim can use up to:
- 50 units of red blood cells
- 2 units of platelets
- 10 units of plasma
A Liver Transplant Recipient uses on average:
- 25 units of red blood cells
- 5 units of platelets
- 40 units of plasma
A Stem Cell Transplant Recipient can use up to:
- 10 units of red blood cells
- 10 units of platelets with ongoing outpatient transfusion needs
A Heart Surgery Patient
uses on average:
- 7 units of red blood cells
- 2 units of platelets
- 4 units of plasma
Will you do something Extraordinary today and help the patients at the
UCLA Medical Center with an apheresis donation? Please call us at 310.206.6187 to make that
life-giving appointment.
Who can make an Apheresis Donation?
To qualify as an apheresis donor, a person must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least
17 years old (there is no upper age limit)
- Weigh at least 110 lbs.
- Be in general good health
- Have not taken any aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications
within 36 hours of donation
- If diabetic: No insulin (oral medications are acceptable)
- If asthmatic: No oral
medications (Singulair is acceptable)
- Must be willing to allow approximately 2 hours
for the entire donation process.
Please avoid all fatty foods and increase your fluid and
calcium intake before donating.
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