Types of Blood Donations
whole blood
Whole blood donation is what most people are familiar with. This is the traditional way of donating, and allows us to draw a pint of blood containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma at one time. Whole blood donations expire after 42 days.
Donation time:
Only 5 to 20 minutes
Total Process TIme:
30 to 45 minutes
donation frequency:
Every 8 weeks
Donate right for your type:
O -, O+, A-, B-
platelets
Platelets are the type of blood cell that allow our bodies to form clots. They essentially help people control their bleeding. Patients across West Tennessee, especially burn victims, organ transplant recipients, accident victims, and people undergoing cancer treatment, rely on platelet donations for recovery.
Platelet donations expire after 5 days. This means we rely on frequent, regular platelet donors, just like many patients rely on frequent, regular platelet transfusions.
Note: Donors who have had aspirin or aspirin containing products within 36 hours are not acceptable for platelet donation.
donation time:
60 to 90 minutes
donation frequency:
Up to 24 times a year
total process time:
1.5 to 2 hours
Donate right for your type:
O+, A+, B+, AB+, AB-
Plasma
For many with rare diseases, plasma protein is the only therapy available to treat chronic conditions.
donation time:
45 to 60 minutes
Donation frequency:
Every 28 days
Total Process Time:
1 to 1.5 hours
Donate right for your type:
A+, AB+, AB-