Double red cells

Red cells carry oxygen to organs and tissue.

You can donate “just red blood cells” through an apheresis donation.

Red blood cells have a 42-day shelf life. They are received by patients having surgery, organ transplants or cancer treatment. People with life-threatening conditions often need many transfusions.

By choosing to donate double red cells, you can safely donate enough for two red cell transfusions. That means a single donation can help two patients receive lifesaving treatment.

How does it work?

During a double red cell donation a process called apheresis draws and spins the blood to separate its component parts. The machine then removes only the red cells — immediately returning the platelets and plasma back to your body. While you’re donating, you’ll receive fluid to help keep you hydrated. The entire process takes about 90-120 minutes. There are some body weight requirements for being eligible to give double reds. Usually you must also be type O, type A- or type B- to meet donation requirements.
See who can donate.

• What is the Double Red Cell Program?
  If you are blood type O, type A negative or type B negative then you may be eligible to give enough red blood cells for two transfusions in a single visit through our apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) Double Red Cell Program. This donation results in twice as many red cells for patients and allows you more time in between appointments.
• What are red cells?
  Red cells deliver oxygen—vital to patients with severe blood loss or sickle cell anemia. Just one apheresis donation results in twice as many red cells as a typical whole blood donation.
• How does the process work?
  The apheresis process is simple: blood is drawn from the donor’s arm and the components are separated. Only the components being donated, in this case two units of red cells, are collected while the remaining components are safely returned to the donor.
• How long does it take?
  Only a few minutes longer than a typical blood donation. Scheduling an appointment ensures the equipment is ready when you arrive. The entire visit, from registration to refreshments, takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. You may watch television or movies, listen to music, read or simply sit back and relax while helping save a life.
• Are apheresis red cell donations safe?
  Yes. Each donation is closely supervised by trained staff. The amount of red cells collected does not compromise your health and the volume replacement (saline solution) helps replenish your fluids. New, sterile donation equipment (needle, tubing, collection bags) is used for each donor – it is virtually impossible to contract a disease from the process.
• What are the requirements?
  Apheresis red cell donors must be blood type O, type A negative or type B negative and meet minimum blood volume requirements determined by height, weight and hematocrit.
• Why do you need specific blood types?
  It takes donors of all blood types to maintain a stable community blood supply for patients. Currently we need type O, type A negative or type B negative donors to help meet the local demand for red blood cells. Donors of all blood types are needed to give apheresis platelets and whole blood. To schedule your next appointment or find out more information, please call 1-800-398-7888 or e-mail [email protected].
• How often can I donate double red cells?
  Up to three times a year! You may donate apheresis red cells once every 16 weeks or 112 days compared to every 8 weeks or 56 days for whole blood donation. Overall this means more time in between appointments and fewer visits to BloodworksNW.
• How soon after donating red cells can I give whole blood or platelets?
  For apheresis red cell donors the waiting period in between donations is 16 weeks or 112 days before the next whole blood, platelet or two unit red cell donation.
• Can I donate twice the amount of platelets?
  Yes, please! Because platelets can be stored for only five days, the need for platelet donations is vast and continuous. It does take longer to give your platelet donation (about two hours total), but we encourage all donors to stay a little longer and maximize their lifesaving efforts.
• Can I donate apheresis red cells at a blood drive?
  Currently this donor program is available only at our donor centers.
• How do two unit donation count towards my Tree of Life goal? Could l get on the Tree of Life faster?
  A two unit donation counts as two donations towards your donation total and could help you reach the Tree of Life 100 unit milestone faster.
• How can I become an apheresis red cell donor?
  For more information and appointments, call Bloodworks Northwest (800) 398-7888. You may also ask our Donor Center staff for information about open appointments.