The Red Cross uses a new, sterile needle and plastic bag to collect the blood of each donor. This equipment is used only once. The donor's health and safety are very important. A Red Cross professional asks for the medical history of each donor. In addition, the donor's temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and iron level are checked.
All information is kept confidential.
A Single Donation Can Help More Than One Patient Donated blood is collected and separated into different components, each of which serves a different medical need. Red blood cells are used for surgical and trauma patients, as well as for medical patients with anemia, such as dialysis patients. Platelets are used to help control bleeding. They are often used in the treatment of leukemia patients and other cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Platelets are unique in that they have a short life span of just five days.