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Automated Donation
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Every day, more than 800 donations are needed to help save the lives of patients in the Texas Gulf Coast region. There is no substitute for blood. It has to come from one person in order to be given to another, and every donation can help save up to three lives. |
That’s why we need your help. Consider optimizing your donation with an automated collection.
What is an automated donation?
An automated donation, often called apheresis, is a collection process that uses a highly sophisticated medical device designed specifically to customize the blood and blood components drawn. An automated donation allows you to give the components that are most needed.
What is the difference between a whole blood donation and an automated donation?
When you donate whole blood, the unit is separated into its three main components – red cells, platelets and plasma. Surprisingly, it takes the combined efforts of two whole blood donors to produce the plasma needed for most patients who need plasma, and six whole blood donors to produce the platelets for one treatment for a patient who needs platelets.
In contrast, an automated donation is more efficient since you as one person, in one donation experience, can give the amount of plasma, platelets or red cells needed for a patient. Most donors can provide the component amounts needed for two patients, and some donors can even provide the component amounts needed for three or four patients from one automated donation.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Generally, a person can donate an automated procedure more often than whole blood. However, donation intervals vary by type of automated procedure and the proceeding donation. Please contact your Neighborhood Donor Center to verify eligibility. We welcome your questions and will walk you through the steps to a more efficient way of saving lives.
What do I need to do to prepare for an automated procedure?
Please do not eat dairy products or fatty foods for at least 24 hours prior to your automated donation. Please do not take aspirin or aspirin containing medications for at least 48 hours prior to your donation.
Blood Center of East Texas
Amicus (platelets)
Lufkin
Amicus (platelets)
Humble/Kingwood
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
Double red cells on selected days
Conroe
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
The Woodlands
Trima (red cells, platelets, plasma, double red cells)
Houston Northwest
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
Double red cells on selected days
Cy-Fair
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
Double red cells on selected days
Katy
Trima (red cells, platelets, plasma, double red cells)
Memorial City
Trima (red cells, platelets, plasma, double red cells)
Sugar Land
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
Double red cells on selected days
Bill T. Teague (Headquarters)
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
Double red cells on selected days
Pasadena
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
Double red cells on selected days
Clear Lake
Amicus (platelets)
Auto C (plasma)
Double red cells on selected days