Apheresis Donation

Blood is a mixture of Red Cell (Red Blood Cells), Leukocytes (White Blood Cells), Platelets and Plasma. The blood you donate contains all the blood components and it is called "whole blood". In Hong Kong, most of the whole blood collected will be separated into different blood components so as to benefit more patients.

Nowadays, a donor can also choose to donate plasma, platelets or both by a procedure called "Apheresis" with the help of a blood cell separator. The separator automatically removes the required components from the donor's blood and returns the remainder to the donor. As for whole blood donation, all equipment and tools involved in Apheresis donation are disinfected while the needles and collection bags are new and used only once for the safety of donors.

Generally speaking, only one unit of platelets is obtained from the centrifugation of a single unit of whole blood donation whereas one Apheresis donation itself can give 4 to 6 units of platelets. The latter can significantly reduce the donor exposure for the patients who need a large dosage of platelets for treatment.

A large amount of platelets and plasma is found in a human body and the donated amount will be quickly replenished (platelets replenished within 3 – 7 days and plasma within 24 hours), making Apheresis donation possible at an interval of 2 weeks without having adverse effect on the Apheresis donor.

Platelets have a shelf life of 5 days, so your regular donation will be important to helping treat patients in need.

To be a plasma or platelet donor, you have to fulfill the following basic criteria:

• Regular blood donors without adverse post-donation reactions.
• Aged 18-60
• Weight above 55kg
• Good veins preferably on both arms
• Willing to donate blood at least once a month regularly

Remarks

At present, Apheresis donation is only available at West Kowloon Donor Centre, which also provides parking for donors if necessary. A plasma or platelet donation takes about 1 hour.

West Kowloon Donor Centre

Opening hours :

Monday to Sunday :

9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Public Holidays To be announced

If you have any enquiries , please call 2507 7733 or visit any of our donor centres.