Types of Blood Donors

There are four main types of blood donors:

• Autologous donors give blood so that it may be transfused back to him or her during an upcoming surgery.
• Directed donors donate blood to be transfused to a specific patient. Directed donors can give whole blood, two units of red blood cells or apheresis platelets.
• Replacement donors give blood to replace the blood used by a patient-a particularly special way for family and friends to show their love and support. Replacement donors play a key role in replenishing the blood supply for the next patient in need of a transfusion.
• Apheresis donors donate blood platelets. The safe, simple 90-minute process involves separating platelets from the blood using a blood cell separator.