While whole blood donations are common, many patients receive specific components — platelets and plasma — which serve different clinical needs. Understanding these components helps donors appreciate how their donation can be used.
Platelets: what they do
Platelets are small cell fragments that help blood clot. They’re essential for patients undergoing chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, or major surgery. Platelets are usually collected by apheresis (a procedure that separates platelets and returns other components) and have a short shelf life — typically 5–7 days — which makes regular platelet donors especially valuable.
Plasma: when it’s used
Plasma is the liquid part of blood rich in clotting factors and proteins. It’s used for people with clotting disorders, massive transfusion protocols, and certain immune conditions. Plasma can be frozen for longer storage (FFP — fresh frozen plasma) and thawed when needed.
Collection and donation
Apheresis allows donors to give specific components more frequently than whole blood (subject to local rules). The collection is supervised and typically takes longer than a standard whole-blood donation, but it enables targeted donations for patients in need.
If you’re interested in donating platelets or plasma, contact your local blood service — they can advise on eligibility, appointment length, and frequency. These donations have high clinical value and are often prioritized in hospitals.