Types of Donations

In order to maximize your donation and effectively match it with the needs of our patients, we have several options for donating

Whole Blood

This refers to the traditional donation process where half a liter of blood is collected from an individual donor into a sterile bag. The blood is later separated into red blood cells, platelets and plasma. These components are given to patients suffering from leukemia or hemophilia, accident victims, patients undergoing chemotherapy or patients who have lost blood during surgery. The need for blood always exceeds the available supply; therefore, there is a constant need for whole blood donors.

*Please note, whole blood donations do not receive points towards the Donor Store. Points are only given to individuals donating platelet, plasma and double red cell donations. Please consider donating what's right for your type to earn points! 

Nurses prepping for a donation
Female donor giving blood

Apheresis

Aperhesis (ay-fer-EE-sis) is a special blood donation that separates blood components while the blood is drawn instead of in a laboratory following the donation. This technology allows donors to maximize their donations by focusing on the donation of one or more specific blood components at a given time.

(Automated Donation):

Plasma & Red Cells Donations

During this donation a cell separating machine removes specified blood components from the blood and returns the remaining blood components back to the donor. For example, depending on a donor’s blood volume and platelet count, up to three transfusable doses of platelets may be collected during one procedure. These platelets are most commonly used to support patients undergoing treatment for cancer or leukemia. The time of the actual donation can range from 45 minutes to 2 hours. This procedure is currently only done at the Blood Center’s main collection facility at 209 North Padre Island Drive.

Don't forget, our plasma & red cell donors earn points after each platelet donation to shop in our Donor Store for gift cards!

Platelet Donations

Every 15 seconds someone is in need of a platelet transfusion. You might ask, what even are platelets? Platelets are the small cells that stop bleeding by forming clots. Local community members might need platelets if they are cancer patients, if they have been a trauma victim or are dealing with a chronic disease. Unfortunately, platelets are only good for 7 days so platelet donations are always needed in the Coastal Bend community. With a goal of collecting at least 14 platelets a day, we need your help! The process does take longer than a regular whole blood donation, but you'll enjoy excellent customer service, wonderful snacks and an opportunity to try our virtual reality headsets while donating your liquid gold. To learn more information about platelet donations, please contact the Coastal Bend Blood Center at 361-855-4943. To book your lifesaving platelet appointment, click the button below.

 

Book your Platelet Appointment Here!

Don't forget, our platelet donors earn points after each platelet donation to shop in our Donor Store for gift cards! Book your appointment below to start earning points! 

For More Information, Check Out the Platelet Brochure Here

Red Cell Automation (or "Double" Red Donation)

This refers to an apheresis process that collects two transfusable units of red blood cells during a single donation and returns the remaining blood components back to the donor. More than 60% of all transfusions are red blood cells, making this a vital program for patients of the Coastal Bend. The procedure takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes longer than a traditional whole blood donation and is available at our main collection facility and on select bloodmobile drives.

Don't forget, our red cell donors earn points after each red cell donation to shop in our Donor Store for gift cards!

Red Cell Automation Criteria is

  • Hematicrit level of 13.3 gm/dl
  • Male Donors 5’1″ and 130lbs or more
  • Female Donors 5’5″ and 150lbs or more
Couple with nurses after donating blood