Red cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are needed for hospital patients who may have experienced a loss of blood due to surgery or a car accident, or a patient suffering from anemia.
Though a whole-blood donation can be used to treat these patients, typically only the red cells are needed. Eligible donors are encouraged to give a double-red cell (or “Power Red”) donation.
A Power Red donation is 2 units of collected red blood cells as opposed to a single unit taken during a whole-blood donation.
A Power Red takes about 1.5 hours to complete from registration to canteen.
You can donate a Power Red every 16 weeks, or 4 months.
Donating double red cells has the greatest impact on the community around you and the patients who need you. While one donation can save up to three lives, oftentimes a single patient will need many donations to survive.
SAVE TIME: A Power Red donation can only be given 3 times per year. If you have a busy schedule and don’t have many days available to donate, this option is perfect for you.
SAVE MORE LIVES: A Power Red donation means you are giving twice the amount of red cells and can save twice the number of lives.
FEEL BETTER: Because the apheresis process returns a saline solution to your body, you finish the donation more hydrated than you started!
To be eligible for a Power Red donation, you must meet the requirements for a whole-blood donation and satisfy the following to ensure the process is safe for you:
On A Mobile Blood Drive:
| MALE | FEMALE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
HEIGHT |
WEIGHT (lb) |
HEIGHT |
WEIGHT (lb) |
|
5’1” |
≥130 |
5’5” |
≥150 |
At A Donor Center: Total blood volume and hematocrit are the added factors; your donor specialist will be able to tell you whether you qualify.
