Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save the lives of others. There are several types of blood donation. Each type helps meet different medical needs. This is the most common type of blood donation, during which you donate about a pint (about half a litre) of whole blood. Donors are typically required to give consent for the process and meet a certain criterion such as weight and haemoglobin levels, and this requirement means minors cannot donate without permission from a parent or guardian. In some countries, answers are associated with the donor’s blood, but not the name, to provide anonymity; in others, such as the United States, names are kept to create lists of ineligible donors. If a potential donor does not meet these criteria, they will not be allowed to be a donor.
What is a universal blood donor?
A universal donor is a person who can donate blood to any recipient of any blood group. Although people with an O blood type are commonly known as universal blood donors, people who have an O- (negative) blood type are the true universal donors.
What are the different types of blood donation?
Types of blood donation:
1. Whole blood – Doctors can use whole blood donations in many different ways.
2. Platelets and plasma – People can donate platelets and plasma through apheresis. Apheresis allows donors to only donate either plasma or platelets.
3. Power red donation – This sort of donation focuses on red cells.
Donate blood and saves lives!