Double Red Blood Cell Donation Procedure

Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body, and help in the removal of carbon dioxide from our system.  Red blood cells are most needed by patients after significant blood loss through trauma, surgery, or anemia.  Since area hospitals use a large volume of red blood cells every day, the need for red blood cells is constant.

Donors can donate red blood cells every eight or 16 weeks, depending on the donation procedure.  People with Type O- blood are considered universal red blood cell donors and are in high demand as blood donors.  Patients of any blood type can receive O- blood.

Double red blood cell donations are made through an automated process.  From registration to refreshments, donating red blood cells takes a little more than an hour.


Double Red Blood Cell Qualifications

The basic qualifications for double red blood cell donors are similar to those for whole blood donations. For a double red blood cell procedure, men must weigh at least 130 pounds; women must weigh at least 150 pounds and be at least 5’3’’ tall.  Donors with blood types O, A, and B are asked to consider a double red blood cell donation.

Donors interested in donating double red blood cells should call Central Blood Bank’s Apheresis Department at 412-209-7030 or 1-866-DONORS-1 to schedule an appointment, or you may  schedule your appointment online.

Due to the special process involved with donating double red blood cells, Central Blood Bank collects double red blood cells at the following community donor centers only:

 

Armstrong County Memorial HospitalJameson Health System - South
BeaverMonroeville
ButlerMoon Township
CranberryNorth Hills
Crawford CountyOil City
Downtown PittsburghPeters Township
Fox ChapelSouth Hills
FranklinSt. Clair Hospital
Green Tree CDCWashington
GreensburgWeirton (Three Springs Dr.)
1-866-DONORS1 (1-866-366-6771)
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