How is a platelet donation different from a whole blood donation?
During a whole blood donation, blood is collected as one unit. Only later is it separated into its three components: 55% plasma, 5% red blood cells, and <1% platelets. With so few platelets collected from this process, five (5) whole blood donations would be required to meet demand for the quantity used in a single transfusion. For example, a typical bone marrow transplant recipient would require platelets from about 120 whole blood donations. When making a platelet-only donation, a special automated process is used. Known as platelet apheresis, blood flows directly into a separator (apheresis machine) where platelets are collected while the other blood components—red blood cells and plasma—are returned to you. Donors experience no fluid loss during this donation process.
