Publications: Apheresis--A Special Blood Donation

Apheresis is a specialized blood donation that allows collection of specific components or parts of blood. The procedure is used primarily to collect platelets, cells that help the blood to clot; however, other components such as red cells, white cells or plasma also may be separated using apheresis.

Most whole blood collected by Community Blood Services of Illinois is separated into components to help meet the specific needs of patients in our area hospitals. Apheresis enables the blood center to collect a greater quantity of a single component from just on donor. This benefits patients who need large amounts of specific components because they are exposed to only one blood donor, thereby reducing their risk for exposure to infectious blood-borne diseases and for allergic reaction. These patients often require aggressive transfusion of platelets because they are being treated for cancer, leukemia or aplastic anemia, undergoing open heart surgery, or suffering from a severe trauma. For example, cancer patients undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment to destroy cancerous tissues. This treatment also destroys healthy blood cells, especially platelets. until their bodies are able to manufacture the needed blood cells, these patients may require routine platelet transfusion.

Platelet pheresis is a give and take procedure. After a thorough cleansing of the insides of both arms, a needle is inserted into one vein in each arm, connecting the donor to the apheresis machine. Blood is drawn from one of the donor's arms and is spun in a centrifuge within the machine thus separating platelets from whole blood. While the donor's blood is in the centrifuge, it is kept in a sterile, closed-system apheresis kit. This kit allows the blood to be spun in the centrifuge and prevents it from touching the machine, eliminating the risk of contamination. After the platelets have been separated, the donor's red cells, plasma and a saline replacement fluid are returned to the donor through the other arm. Only a small, safe amount of blood is removed from the donor at any time during the donation.

Also offered is a platelet pheresis procedure that requires the use of only one needle, thus allowing the donor to have one arm free throughout the donation. This service has been added for donors with only one accessible vein who want to participate in the apheresis program.

It takes approximately one to one and a half hours to obtain enough platelets through the apheresis procedure to help a patient who needs these cells. An apheresis technician attends the donor and will monitor their safety and comfort throughout the donation. Television, video tapes and radio are available for apheresis donors.

Individuals interested in becoming apheresis donors must meet the same guidelines established for whole blood donors and must not have taken aspirin or feldene for three days prior to donation.

Because of the regular need for apheresis donations, scheduled appointments are essential to meet patient requirements. Apheresis donations may be scheduled as frequently as every two weeks. When a specific patient need arises, apheresis donors can be scheduled as often as every two to three days since platelets are replaced by the body within 72 hours. The maximum apheresis donations allowed in one year is 24.

If you are interested in becoming an apheresis donor, complete the enclosed card and return it to the blood center. Following evaluation of your eligibility, we will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Feel free to call us at 217-367-2202 if you would like to talk to us right away.

If you have any questions or comments about apheresis or any other aspect of our blood program, please call us at 217-367-2202 or 800-217-GIVE (4483).