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Blood Donation: Different Types and General Guidelines

General Health

Blood Donation: Different Types and General Guidelines

Donating blood is an invaluable gift that you can give to someone in need.

Medically Inspected by: Loreta D. Dayco MD, Maria Christina H. Ventura MD
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Did you know that regular blood donation reduces your risk of suffering from a heart attack by as much as 88%? More importantly, donating blood is an invaluable gift that you can give to someone in need, as blood is an essential component in treating those who are critically ill and are vulnerable to diseases. Learn more on how you can save a life and what kinds of blood donation you can participate in today.

 

Who should donate?

Healthy individuals are highly encouraged to regularly donate blood for the sake of those who need a consistent supply and also for the good effects this has to their own health. Donating blood is a simple procedure but it requires each possible donor to undergo a screening process to ensure that they are qualified to donate. Here are a few basic qualifications for interested donors:

  • Weight is at least 50 kg
  • Must be in good physical health
  • Should pass the initial blood sampling screening
  • Should be well rested and hydrated

 

Why should you donate?

There is a constant need for blood donations since these are used for emergencies, surgeries, and for cancer patients.

Donating blood can also be beneficial to the donor, since donors are qualified for free basic blood and physical examination by a registered physician to see if they qualified to donate.

 

What are the different types of blood donation?

 

Whole Blood Donation

Platelet Donation

Power Red Donation

AB Elite Donation
  • Involves the standard donation of the blood that flows through your veins
  • Extracted blood contains all the components suspended in plasma including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that can be used for emergency situations, surgeries, and patients with critical illnesses
  • Can be done every 56 days
  • Uses a specific machine to extract your platelets and returns the remaining components of your blood back to your body (process can take up to 3 hours)
  • A single donation can help up to three patients who have critical illnesses like cancer
  • Can be done up to 24 times a year
  • Ideal for those who can want and can give more blood in one go
  • Blood is drawn from one arm by a specific machine that extracts two units of red blood cells before returning the remaining components along with some saline solution to your body
  • Similar to whole blood extraction, extracted blood from power red donations are used for emergencies, surgeries, and are essential to those who are terminally ill
  • Only persons with type O, A-, and B- are qualified
  • Can be done up to 3 times a year
  • Patients with the rare AB type of blood are eligible
  • Plasma is extracted by a machine from your blood while the rest of its components are returned to you along with some saline solution
  • Plasma products is essential to trauma, burn, and cancer patients
  • Can be done every 28 days or up to 13 times annually

 

As a responsible donor, sharing a complete medical history with the examining physician is important.  The following are the general restrictions to blood donation:

  • Tested positive for diseases like HIV, hepatitis, etc.
  • If you have low or high blood pressure
  • If you are an illegal drug user or are under the influence of drugs/alcohol
  • If you recently underwent a minor dental procedure
  • If you recently had a tattoo done within the last six months
  • If you have a cold/flu or any other kind of infection

 

Are you qualified and interested to donate blood? You can get in touch with the Philippine Red Cross or your nearby hospital with a blood bank for inquiries and available schedules. Always ensure that the blood donation process is done by a phlebotomist in a well-sanitized area. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and to eat nutritious food afterwards to aid your recuperation process. Consult a doctor if you suddenly feel ill after donating blood.

 

General disclaimer

Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.

 

Sources:

https://nbts.gov.jm/benefits-of-donating-blood/

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/whole-blood-donation.html

https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html#eligibility

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/platelet-donation.html

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/power-red-donation.html

https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1449

https://www.who.int/bloodsafety/publications/guide_selection_assessing_suitability.pdf?ua=1

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/programs/blood-donor-services/donation-criteria.html

http://www.aabb.org/tm/donation/Pages/donatefaqs.aspx

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