It'll help those who need it, but I always do whole blood instead every 8 weeks. Those vampires at Versiti always bust my balls about it. Oh, and heaven forbid you don't go see them for a few months. They'll make your cell phone battery MELT!

Because plasma is 90% water, the body can replenish it within 48 hours. You can donate plasma up to twice in a seven-day period. By contrast, double red cell donors must wait 112 days between donations to allow the red cells to regenerate.

Helps a wider range of patients

While all donations are life-saving, plasma is particularly critical for patients with severe burns, trauma, clotting disorders, liver disease, and immune deficiencies. For example, a single patient with a rare condition could require hundreds of plasma donations annually.
Better for universal donors

Plasma from AB blood type donors is universal, meaning it can be given to patients of any blood type. For AB donors, giving plasma is a high-demand way to make a significant impact.

Benefits of donating double red cells

Greater red cell impact

A double red cell donation collects two units of red blood cells in a single appointment, which is double the amount collected from a standard whole blood donation.

Targets specific needs

This type of donation is crucial for patients with conditions like severe anemia, or those who need a transfusion after surgery, major injury, or for certain cancer treatments.

Reduced iron levels

For donors with too much iron in their blood, double red cell donation is an effective way to lower iron levels. Excess iron can cause organ damage and other health issues.