Blood
Blood
Tissue
Tissue
Marrow
Marrow
Texas Cord Blood Bank
Texas Cord
Blood Bank

Types of Donations

 Platelets Dual Red Cell Plasma 

Requirements: Same as whole blood PLUS

You should not take aspirin or ibuprofen for two days before donating. There is a deferral period of 7 days before donating whole blood or plasma.
Requirements:  Same as whole blood PLUS:

Female donors must weigh at least 150 pounds and be 5’5" tall; male donors must weigh at least 130 pounds and be 5’1" tall. You must have an acceptable red cell (iron) count, which will be checked during the donor screening process.
Requirements: Same as whole bloodReceiving plasma from a single donor reduces the risk of an adverse transfusion reaction from several different donors. After a plasma donation, donors must wait at least 28 days before making a whole blood donation.
Length of Donation: This procedure takes approximately two hours. Length of Donation: This automated procedure takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Length of Donation: This automated procedure takes approximately 45 minutes.
Importance of Platelets: Platelets are small blood cells that help control bleeding. They are often used for those undergoing chemotherapy, which can destroy bone marrow cells. Importance of Red Cells: Concentrated red blood cells are the most often ordered blood components for surgery. Over 60% of all needed transfusion units are red cells. Importance of Plasma: Plasma helps maintain blood pressure, carries blood cells, nutrients, and enzymes. Plasma is used for patients with auto-immune disorders and patients suffering burn injuries.

Donors with AB blood types have plasma that can be transfused into a patient of any blood group.
1. Health history questionnaire: concerning your medical history, lifestyle and risk of exposure to infectious agents. Your answers to these questions will help us determine whether or not you are an eligible donor. 1. Health history questionnaire: concerning your medical history, lifestyle and risk of exposure to infectious agents. Your answers to these questions will help us determine whether or not you are an eligible donor. 1. Health history questionnaire: concerning your medical history, lifestyle and risk of exposure to infectious agents. Your answers to these questions will help us determine whether or not you are an eligible donor.
2. Screening: At this time a technician will take important vital signs, (pulse, temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit (red blood cell) check. This screening process takes approximately 30 minutes and requires a finger stick.­ 2. Screening: At this time a technician will take important vital signs, (pulse, temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit (red blood cell) check.) This screening process takes approximately 30 minutes and requires a finger stick. 2. Screening: At this time a technician will take important vital signs, (pulse, temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit (red blood cell) check. This screening process takes approximately 30 minutes and requires a finger stick.
3. Donation: In the donor area, you will recline in a comfortable position. The technician will swab your arm inside the elbow (to prevent infection) and insert a needle into a vein. Only the platelets are withdrawn and the remaining blood is returned to you. 3. Donation: In the donor area, you will recline in a comfortable position. The technician will swab your arm inside the elbow (to prevent infection) and insert a needle into a vein. Only the specific component is withdrawn and the remaining blood is returned to you. The automated procedure can take from 45 minutes to two hours. 3. Donation: In the donor area, you will recline in a comfortable position. The technician will swab your arm inside the elbow (to prevent infection) and insert a needle into a vein. Only the plasma is withdrawn and the remaining blood is returned to you.
4. Enjoy refreshments and relax in our donor canteen for 10 – 15 minutes. Meanwhile, your lifesaving donation is being made ready to be sent to a patient in need. 4. Enjoy refreshments and relax in our donor canteen for 10 – 15 minutes. Meanwhile, your lifesaving donation is being made ready to be sent to a patient in need 4. Enjoy refreshments and relax in our donor canteen for 10 – 15 minutes. Meanwhile, your lifesaving donation is being made ready to be sent to a patient in need.