What is apheresis?

Apheresis (a-fe-REE-sis) is a special automated type of blood donation that involves collecting whole blood from a donor, but instead of separating components in the lab, the components are automatically separated online while you donate. Since the majority of patients are treated with only one particular blood component, an apheresis donation is more efficient and beneficial to the donor. Apheresis allows a single donor to provide more of the single component needed by a patient. By reducing the number of donors needed to meet a patient's need, the chances of a patient reaction or rejection are decreased.

How do you donate through apheresis?

The apheresis process is much like donating whole blood, except that the components are separated during the donation procedure. Donors go through the same process as with a whole blood donation, except the procedure takes a little longer. Apheresis utilizes a computerized cell separator, which safely and automatically removes a specific component, and returns the remaining components to the donor.

Apheresis Procedures

While donating with apheresis technology takes a little longer than a whole blood donation, it is just as safe and comfortable. Each donation is supervised by trained personnel, and is performed using sterile, disposable equipment. Blood is drawn from the donor into a centrifuge located in the cell separator machine, which separates the blood into different components. Only the component needed is collected, and the remainder of components are returned to the donor. The following blood components can be donated through apheresis procedures:

	Apheresis Platelets (PLAP) are very important because they cause clotting when cuts or other open wounds occur. Platelets and can only be stored for up to five days, and are needed by transplant patients and those receiving treatment for Leukemia and or cancer. Healthy donors can give platelets every three days.
	Apheresis Fresh Frozen Plasma (AFFP) is essential in the recovery of burn patients, organ transplant recipients and patients with clotting disorders. About 55 percent of blood is composed of plasma, which acts as a carrier for blood cells and nutrients. Plasma donors can donate every 28 days.
	Red Blood Cell and Plasma (RBCP) apheresis donation allows donors to give full transfusion doses of red cells and plasma through the same apheresis process used to donate one component. After the red cells and plasma are removed, the remaining fluids are returned to the donor. Donors lose a smaller amount of fluids through the RBCP process than through a regular whole blood donation. Red cells are used to help patients undergoing surgery or trauma, and patients with chronic blood disorders like anemia or sickle cell. Plasma may be administered to patients with clotting problems or those who have lost plasma due to burns or hemorrhage. Individuals can do an RBCP procedure every 56 days.
	Double Red Blood Cells (2RBC) was recently introduced as a new method of apheresis donation in which donors give two full transfusion doses of red cells. This involves the same process as RBCP, except a donor must wait 112 days before donating again. Since red cells are used in emergency situations to replenish lost blood, red cell donors are essential to helping OBI maintain a sufficient blood supply throughout the year.