What happens to the blood once I’ve donated?
Whole blood donations are separated into their components (red cells, platelets and plasma). After processing, red cells are refrigerated and can be stored for up to 42 days. Platelets are stored at room temperature and can be stored for up to 5 days. Plasma is frozen and can be stored for up to 12 months. Whilst a significant proportion of the plasma is used for direct transfusion to patients, the majority of donated plasma is further processed into a number of very important plasma products. These plasma products include immunisations against chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus; clotting factors for the treatment of patients with haemophilia; protein products for the treatment of patients with burns, liver and kidney diseases; and immunoglobulin products for the treatment of patients with antibody deficiencies and other disorders of the immune system.
