All About Blood

Blood provides the body with many of the vital elements needed to sustain life.
Platelets are the part of the blood that stops a person from bleeding. Platelets are the blood cells that help blood clot. Several of our donor centers have Apheresis machines where you can donate a concentrated donation of platelets.
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood and contains all of the substances necessary for normal blood clotting. Several of our donor centers have Apheresis machines where you can donate a concentrated donation of plasma.
Alyx is an automation technology that collects double the amount of red blood cells versus a whole blood donation. Several of our donor centers as well as some blood drives have Alyx machines.

What happens to my whole blood donations?

• First, your blood is sent to the lab to determine blood type and to check for viral diseases.
• Next it is sent to the blood component lab to be divided up into plasma, platelets and red blood cells.
• Then it goes to hospital services to be distributed to the Hospital blood bank.
• Finally it goes to a thankful recipient.