Double Red Cell Donation
Have you considered donating whole blood, red blood cells, platelets, or other blood components at a LifeShare Blood Center? Your donations to LifeShare stay right here in Shreveport, Louisiana. That means your friends and neighbors will benefit most.
What are Red Blood Cells?
Whole blood consists of four main components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Because of this, they are the most needed blood component and the one given to nearly every patient needing a transfusion.
Who Is Eligible to Give a Double Red Cell Donation?
In addition to meeting the requirements for donating whole blood, anyone wishing to donate double red blood cells must also meet certain special criteria to ensure that your body can withstand the loss of those extra red blood cells.
These requirements are based on the differences in blood volume between biological males and females. Males must stand at least 5′ 1″ tall and weigh a minimum of 130 lbs. Females must stand at least 5′ 5″ tall and weigh a minimum of 150 lbs in order to donate double red cells. You’ll also have to meet specific hemoglobin levels in your blood and if you are of blood types O-, O+, A-, or B-, our staff will likely guide you toward this type of donation.
How Do Double Red Blood Cell Donations Work?
A double red cell donation is a type of automated donation that collects two units of red blood cells. Automated donations allow you to donate specific types of blood cells rather than whole blood.
When you make a double red cell donation, only the red blood cells are retained. The other blood components (white blood cells, platelets, and plasma) are returned to your body along with some saline through the same arm. Many people report feeling more refreshed after a donation due to that extra saline.
Since an automated donation includes drawing blood out of your body, separating it, and returning most of it back to you, it takes a little longer than a whole blood donation. The entire double red cell donation procedure takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from start to finish. While you’re donating, you can watch television, enjoy a video, or listen to music. At some LifeShare locations, you can even surf the web while you wait.
You can make a double red cell donation every 112 days (three times a year), and each donation will make double the impact on people’s lives.
Double Red Blood Cell FAQ
Do you still have questions about double red cell donations? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
Does Double Red Blood Cell Donation Hurt?
You’ll probably feel a slight pinch as the needle is inserted into your arm. After that, you likely won’t even notice as the donation takes place.
What Blood Types Can Donate Double Red Blood Cells?
People with one of four blood types can donate double red cells. Those four blood types are O (positive and negative), A negative, and B negative.
How Often Can I Donate?
Because it takes time for your body to replenish its red blood cells, you’ll have to wait 112 days between donations rather than the typical 56 days between whole blood donations. That schedule means you can donate double red cells three times a year.
How Will I Know What Kind of Donation to Make?
Our LifeShare staff will offer our donation recommendations for you based on your blood type, biological gender, height, weight, and current patient needs. Our recommendation might be different on your next visit due to the changing needs of our community.
Double Red Blood Cell Donations at LifeShare
When you make a double red cell donation at a LifeShare Blood Center, you’ll know that you are making a life-saving difference in our community. Contact us and schedule your donation today!
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