It really makes optimal use of your pool of willing donors. But instead of the blood going into a collection bag, it travels in plastic tubing to a machine that spins the blood centrifugally in a bowl. As the blood components separate by weight in the spinning bowl, siphons remove needed components. Dr. Susan Leitman, chief of the blood services section at the department of transfusion medicine, keeps a watchful eye on the dials of the apheresis machine during Bolan's donation. Both whole blood and double red cell donors can expect to feel a bit of fatigue following donation, but Leitman says a large published study indicates no increase in adverse effects for the latter category.
Some donors report they can feel some effect in their stomach.
NIH is experiencing a constantly increasing need for red cells to support a burgeoning kidney transplant center in the CC, as well as programs in stem cell and pancreatic cell transplantation, Leitman explained. We have gotten dangerously low in our supply of red cells for some surgeries. The double red cell collection allows rapid replenishment of low inventory. It's great for building back up a depleted reserve. We give them T-shirts and buttons, and they feel like superstars.