Double Red Donations

What is the importance of Double Red Donations?

Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component. They carry oxygen to all parts of the body and makeup 40 to 50% of blood volume. Red blood cells are used for surgical operations, to treat anemia, and to replace blood lost due to trauma resulting from accidents or injuries.

What is a Double Red Donation?

A double red cell donation is similar to a whole blood donation, but a special device is used to separate the red cells from the donor’s blood, allowing them to donate twice the amount of red blood cells during one visit. The plasma, platelets and other blood components are returned to the donor.

A double red cell donation takes 30 to 40 minutes; the entire visit takes about an hour and 15 minutes, a bit longer than a whole blood donation.

A donor can give double red cells every 112 days.

Double the Impact

As a double red cell donor, you double your impact by providing twice as many red cells for patients in need. You also receive a $10 gift card as a thank-you for your time and donation.

Double red cell donor requirements

Donors must be at least 17 years of age.
Donors must have an adequate hemoglobin level.
Donors must meet height and weight requirements.
Donors must have an appointment to make a double red donation.

Donors of all blood types are needed, but type O donors are especially suited for double red cell donations because 45% of the population has type O blood. Additionally, type O negative is in even greater demand because all patients can receive type O negative blood.