WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR DONATION?
DONATION IS SEPARATED
Your blood donation is firstly 'leucodepleted', meaning that all white blood cells are removed. It is then separated into three components: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. All blood donations are separated into these three components so the exact products can be given to those who need them. In some cases, all three may be needed, but sometimes only transfusion of one of these components is required.
2. DONATION IS TESTED
After your blood donation has been separated, it is tested for blood type, COVID antibodies and several infectious diseases. Blood donations undergo vigorous testing to ensure they are safe to be transfused to the person who needs them. If any of these tests come back positive, the donor will be informed.
All donations are tested for:
HIV
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis E
Syphilis
Human T-Lymphotrophic Virus
Selective donations are tested for:
Malaria
Chagas disease
West Nile Virus
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
3. DONATION IS STORED
Once testing is complete, your donation will be labelled appropriately to ensure it is given to the right person. Blood must be available 24/7 across Scotland, meaning your donation will be sent to one of the 39 blood banks across the country.
Red blood cells have a shelf-life of approximately 35 days, and are stored at fridge temperature (4°C). Platelets have a shelf-life of seven days. They are stored at room temperature and must be continually agitated to stop the platelets from clotting before they are transfused. Once the plasma is separated, it is frozen. This is to preserve components (such as clotting factors) that plasma contains. Once frozen, plasma can be stored for up to three years.
4. SOMEONE BENEFITS FROM YOUR DONATION
When someone needs a blood transfusion, their blood type is tested to ensure they receive the correct blood type. If there is no time to test a patient’s blood type, for example in cases of emergencies, they will be given O- blood as it is compatible will all blood types. Once their blood type is known, the patient will be given as closely matched blood as possible.
As your donation is separated into three components, it can be used to save or improve the lives of up to three people.
5. REPEAT!
The journey of blood will begin again at your next donation. In Scotland, both men and women can donate every 12 weeks. In England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Ireland, men can donate every 12 weeks and women can donate every 16 weeks. By donating blood you are doing something amazing, and we hope that you continue to do so if and when you can!