What is the difference between blood and plasma donation

Every year, blood transfusions save about 4.5 million lives. The kind of blood transfusion a patient gets can determine whether they live or die.

People who give blood may wonder, “Is it better to donate blood or plasma?” Others may question, “Should I donate blood or platelets?”

Knowing the different types of blood and blood donations is important because it can help you decide how you can do the most good when giving blood.

Blood types

Your blood type is passed down from your parents, just like your height or hair color.

Red blood cells either have or don’t have special markers called antigens. The presence or lack of these proteins and sugars in your blood determines your blood type. Careful blood typing is important because when antigens are put into the wrong body, they can trigger an attack by the immune system.

There are two main blood groups: ABO and Rh. The blood types in the ABO group are:

  • Type A: Has an A marker
  • Type B: Has a B marker
  • Type AB: Has A and B markers
  • Type O: Has no A or B markers

Blood also has or doesn’t have a protein called Rh factor. If it has Rh factor, blood type is labeled positive (+). If it doesn’t have Rh factor, blood type is labeled negative (-).

The most common blood types are:

  • A+: Has an A marker and Rh factor
  • A-: Has an A marker and no Rh factor
  • B+: Has a B marker and Rh factor
  • B-: Has a B marker and no Rh factor
  • AB+: Has A and B markers and Rh factor
  • AB-: Has A and B markers and no Rh factor
  • O+: Has no A or B markers but does have Rh factor
  • O-: Has no A or B markers or Rh factor

Types of blood donations

Blood donations help many people including:

  • People who have had surgery
  • People who’ve been in an accident
  • People with cancer or other diseases

Before you give blood, learn about the different types of donations. In some cases, one donation can help several people.

Types of donations you can give include:

  • Concentrated red blood cells
  • Plasma
  • Platelets
  • Whole blood

Who are universal blood donors?

Universal donors are a welcome sight at blood donation centers. People with Type O- blood are universal blood donors because O- can be given to people with any blood type. People with AB blood are universal plasma donors because AB plasma can be given to people with any blood type.

What is whole blood donation?

Whole blood serves many purposes. It can be used as is or separated into concentrated blood cells, plasma or platelets. Whole blood is often used in cases of trauma or surgery.

To donate whole blood, is usually takes about one hour and all blood types are accepted. You can donate whole blood once every 56 days.

What is a power red donation?

When you give a power red donation, a machine separates out red blood cells from plasma and platelets. People who receive power red transfusions can include:

  • Mothers giving birth
  • Newborns
  • People with sickle cell anemia
  • Trauma patients

A power red donation lasts roughly 1 1/2 hours and the best blood types include O+, O-, A- and B-. You can give power red donations once every 112 days.

What is platelet donation?

By donating platelets versus blood, you might help transplant patients or people with injuries or serious illnesses.

Platelets are cells in blood that bind together to make clots. Donation of platelets usually takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours. One donation of platelets can result in several usable units. If you’re wondering what blood type is best for donating platelets, think A+, A-, B+, O+, AB+ and AB-. You can donate platelets once every seven days.

What is plasma donation?

Plasma is used in cases of emergency and it can be given to people with any blood type. In some cases, it can help people fight illnesses, like COVID-19.

Plasma is yellow in color, and it’s the liquid part of blood that carries blood cells and platelets through the body. Donating plasma usually takes about 1 1/4 hours, and the best blood types are AB+ and AB-. You can donate plasma once every 28 days.

We are in the middle of a national blood shortage. If you are able to, please consider becoming a blood donor at one of our partner facilities today. 

Blood contains several components, including red cells, platelets and plasma. You may choose to give whole blood donations, platelets, double red cells or plasma donations. During a whole blood donation, you typically donate a pint (about a half liter) of whole blood. During a process called apheresis, you're hooked up to a machine that collects and separates blood components and returns unused components to you.

Platelet, double red cell and plasma donations

Platelet, double red cell and plasma donations are each a type of apheresis — a method of collecting blood in which you're hooked up to a machine that collects and separates blood components (red cells, platelets and plasma) and returns unused components to you. Your blood stays confined within a single-use sterile tubing kit, so you're not at risk of getting a bloodborne infection during a blood donation.

Apheresis collection of plasma and platelets allows you to donate more frequently than does whole blood donation because the body replaces platelets and plasma more quickly than red cells.

Apheresis blood donations take about 1 1/2-2 hours.

Platelet donation (plateletpheresis)

During plateletpheresis, only platelets are collected. Platelets help blood to clot and are commonly given to people with cancer or people having major surgery.

To donate platelets, you must meet all of the requirements for whole blood donation, and also:

  • Have donated whole blood at Mayo Clinic or double red cells, plasma or platelets elsewhere
  • Have not taken aspirin or any aspirin-containing medicine for 48 hours

You may donate platelets as often as once every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period.

Donated platelets can only be stored for use for as long as five days.

Plasma donation (plasmapheresis)

During plasmapheresis, only the liquid portion of the blood (plasma) is collected. Plasma is commonly given to people in emergency and trauma situations to help stop bleeding.

To donate blood plasma, you must meet all of the requirements for whole blood donation. There are four major blood groups: A, B, AB and O. Donors who are blood group AB are special plasma donors because their plasma can be given to any of the other blood types. Because of this, AB plasma is frequently in high demand.

You may donate plasma as often as every 28 days.

Double red cell donation

During double red cell donation, two units of red cells are collected. Red cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Red cells are typically given to people with sickle cell anemia or significant blood loss due to trauma or surgery. A red cell donation is typically transfused within days, so the need for this component is ongoing.

You may donate double red cells about once every 168 days (24 weeks). During this time, you cannot make other types of blood donations. Your body replaces the lost red cells in about 90 days.

  • Nov. 13, 2021
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Is it better to donate plasma or blood?

Plasma donations are a great fit for anyone who wants to earn extra while having a meaningful impact on the lives of others, while whole blood donations are perfect for those who are short on time, but still want to give back.

Is donating plasma and blood the same thing?

Donating plasma and donating blood are essentially the same process: the entry questionnaire, getting hooked up to a machine, the cookie afterward. But in the US there's a key difference: one is an act of charity, and the other an act of commerce.

Why would you give plasma instead of blood?

Plasma Helps Patients with Rare Conditions Plasma donations are specifically used to treat over 80 different autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and rare blood disorders. Blood donations, on the other hand, are often used for blood transfusions.