Apheresis technology has been performed for more than 20 years and was developed with the donor's comfort and safety in mind. A platelet donation lasts less than 2 hours, while a red cell or plasma donation lasts 40 minutes to one hour. Benefits of Apheresis Patients require blood from matching donors. The apheresis system allows patients with specific needs to be matched with the appropriate donors. Platelets are always in demand and donors with high platelet counts are difficult to find.
All blood types are useful.
Donors with a common blood type make ideal red cell donors. This means that anyone needing plasma can receive universal donors' plasma. Platelet and Plasma Apheresis Donors can donate platelets or plasma by apheresis methods more often than they can donate regular whole blood. Because it only takes your body approximately 48 hours to replenish any donated platelets or plasma, it is safe for you to donate more often. Generally, the blood center allows platelet and plasma apheresis donors to donate every 28 days.