Blood donor
Blood donor
A blood donor (/blʌd doʊnər/) is an individual who voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions or made into medications by a process called fractionation.
Etymology
The term "blood donor" originates from the English words "blood" (from Old English blōd) and "donor" (from Latin donātor, giver), referring to a person who gives their blood.
Process
The process of blood donation involves the drawing of blood from a donor, typically through a needle inserted into a vein. The blood is then tested and stored until it is needed for a blood transfusion.
Types of Donations
There are several types of blood donations:
- Whole blood donation: This is the most common type of blood donation, where approximately a pint of 'whole blood' is given. The blood is then separated into transfusable components – red cells, plasma, platelets.
- Platelet donation: In this type of donation, an apheresis machine collects the platelets and some of the plasma, and returns the rest of the blood to the donor.
- Plasma donation: Here, the apheresis machine collects the plasma and returns the rest of the blood to the donor.
- Double Red Cell donation: In this type of donation, two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor.
Eligibility
Eligibility to donate blood depends on the donor meeting specific health criteria, including age, weight, and medical history. Potential donors are screened for risk factors that could make the blood unsafe to use in a transfusion.
Related Terms
- Blood bank: A place where blood gathered as a result of blood donation is stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusion.
- Blood transfusion: The process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously.
- Apheresis: A medical technology in which the blood of a donor is passed through an apparatus that separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainder to the circulation.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood donor
- Wikipedia's article - Blood donor
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