Updated at: 01-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Some of you may not understand what it means to donate blood twice. In a “double donation,” a person gives blood and another blood component. This kind of behavior on the part of a component is not unprecedented. In order to help those in need, it is best to donate full blood rather than just one component of it.

Blood is collected using an apheresis system, which can process several donors in a short period of time. Your blood will be pumped out of your body and sifted using this equipment to identify what organs and tissues you will donate. Anything that isn’t used up will be recycled back into your body.

Choosing to become a double blood donor is a fantastic way to aid those in need; It is crucial and helpful for persons in need of a twofold blood donation because many diseases are induced by a lack of merely one blood component;

What Are The Affliction That Double Blood Donation Can mitigate?

Double blood donation is the act of donating two units of the same blood component. Often, a single type of blood component can be utilized to treat a wide range of diseases. Donating twice may help you grasp the significance of the act.

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#1. Double platelet donation

When you undergo surgery, you need platelets because they reduce swelling and speed up the healing process. Their antibacterial function helps the white blood cell fight infection in our bodies. When your platelet count is abnormally low, it’s called thrombocytopenia. Those with this disorder have problems clotting at a number of sites on their bodies, even though it is quite simple for someone with a normal platelet count to clot a cut.

#2. Double white blood cell donation

Platelets are essential for the reduction of postoperative edema and the acceleration of the healing process. The ability of white blood cells to kill germs is a key factor in their ability to ward against infections. Low platelet count is a symptom of this disease. Although a person with a healthy platelet count can easily stop the bleeding from a cut, persons with this problem may experience bleeding at other sites.

#3. Double plasma donation

When blood is divided into its component parts, a pale yellow liquid called plasma is left behind. They can deliver nourishment to the brain as well as the rest of the body. When plasma is lacking, our organs can’t take in as many nutrients, which can have serious consequences for our health. Inadequate plasma levels are accompanied by a number of symptoms, including hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and an increased propensity to bruise. The kidneys and the liver are two of our most vital organs that can be damaged by extreme starvation and the inability to absorb the nutrients we need.

Who Can We Help By Donating Blood?

The blood of a donor is provided to those with blood problems, but a closer look at the figures reveals that we are only assisting a small percentage of the population. Governments around the world are making extraordinary efforts to expand access to blood for their citizens. Campaigns to raise awareness, use persuasion, or even make donating blood a legal requirement are just some of the methods used to keep blood banks throughout the world stocked and ready to serve patients in crisis. Large amounts of blood and blood products are used during emergency situations and surgical procedures. Blood transfusions may be necessary throughout the winter due to seasonal diseases like dengue fever.

Things To Do When You Want To Donate Blood.

All potential blood donors are required to undergo a battery of examinations before they are accepted. A subset of the population was subjected to extensive health screenings, with the express goal of identifying those who might be at risk for transmitting an infectious disease through a blood transfusion.

Tip #1. Don’t drink or smoke

Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption are linked to numerous health issues. Donating blood requires that you refrain from alcohol and cigarettes for at least 48 hours beforehand.

Tip #2. Fresh tattoos are not allowed

If we are tattooed, the ink may stay in our bloodstream after the needle has punctured our skin. Donating requires that you have had your tattoo for at least six months.

Tip #3. having a healthy lifestyle

If you don’t get enough sleep before donating, something weird could happen. Before giving a donation, donors should think about their food and drinking habits because these factors can put the receiver at risk.

Platelet, double red cell and plasma donations

Apheresis, a method of collecting and separating blood components, allows donors to provide platelets, double red cells, and plasma while having the unwanted components returned to them. Donating blood poses no risk of developing a bloodborne infection because the blood is confined in a sterile tubing package that is used just once.

Apheresis enables for more frequent donations than whole blood donation due to the rapid replacement of platelets and plasma by the body compared to red blood cells.

Apheresis donations usually take between two and three hours to complete.

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Platelet donation (plateletpheresis)

Platelets are the sole thing collected during plateletpheresis. The blood clotting properties of platelets make them a common treatment for cancer and major surgery.

You can donate platelets as often as every eight days and as often as 24 times a year.

The shelf life of donated platelets is only five days.

Plasma donation (plasmapheresis)

During plasmapheresis, only the plasma, the liquid portion of the blood, is removed. Plasma is routinely utilized to stem bleeding in the midst of medical emergencies and trauma situations.

Blood plasma contributions follow the same guidelines as whole blood donations. There are four main types of blood groups: A, B, AB, and O. Donors with blood type AB are special because their plasma can be used to treat patients with any other blood type. Therefore, there is a great need for AB plasma from AB donors.

Giving plasma is an ongoing process, and there is no cap on how often you can do so.

Double red cell donation

Two units of red blood cells are collected from the same donor during a double red cell donation. Oxygen is carried around the body by red blood cells. Red blood cells are commonly given to people with sickle cell anemia or after major blood loss from surgery or trauma. There is always a need for this component of the transfusion because a red cell donation is typically consumed within a few days.

One can donate twice as many red blood cells every 168 days (24 weeks). Other than blood donations, no other types of donations are allowed at this time. Damaged red blood cells are replaced by the body within about 90 days.

FAQs

What is double red blood cell donation?

During a twofold red cell donation, blood is extracted mechanically from the donor. In most blood donation programs, only the red blood cells are retained, with the remainder being given back to the donor. With this contribution, we can safely delete twice as many red cells. This form of donation is known as a double red blood cell (DRBC) donation.

What are red blood cells used for?

Red blood cells transport oxygen and nutrients to body tissues, and in return they remove waste products and carbon dioxide. Blood components other than red blood cells are used in only 30% of transfusions. Patients who have lost a significant amount of blood, or who are in danger of losing a significant amount of blood, require red blood cell transfusions. Patients in this category have suffered serious trauma, have a bleeding ulcer that has perforated, or have just undergone extensive surgical procedures.

What are the requirements for donating DRBC?

Factors such as a donor’s height, weight, and hemoglobin level are essential in deciding whether or not to accept a blood donation. Females and nonbinary folks must be at least 5’5″ tall and 150 lbs., while males must be at least 5’1″ tall and 130 lbs. Donating blood requires a hemoglobin level of at least 13.3 g/dL.

Why are the requirements different for women, men and nonbinary donors?

Men and women may have the same body mass index, but their overall blood volumes are not equal (TBV). The standard of care in medicine dictates that no more than 15% of a patient’s total blood volume (TBV) should be drained at any given time. Our apheresis machines determine a patient’s TBV based on their gender, height, weight, and hemoglobin.

How long does donating take?

Takes 30 minutes or more to do the real DRBC draw.

Where can I donate?

Takes 30 minutes or more to do the real DRBC draw.

How often can I donate?

The time required to conduct a genuine DRBC draw is at least 30 minutes.

How do I make an appointment to donate?

In order to make a donation to the DRBC, please contact us at 650-723-7831.

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Conclusion

After you’ve read this, please tell everyone you know about the double blood donation program. We need a world where everyone is open and supportive of one another, even if that means just donating blood.