What To Expect When Donating Blood

Donation Schedules

Many individuals who choose to donate blood often become regular blood donors. However, beginners may not know the proper donation schedules. Individuals who donate whole blood must wait at least eight weeks between each donation. Those who are donating platelets can do so more often. Specifically, an individual can donate platelets every seven days up to a maximum of twenty-four times a year. Of course, patients must wait at least a week after donating platelets to donate whole blood and vice versa. Some reports indicate that individuals who are autologous donors, meaning they are giving blood for themselves, adhere to different regulations. Patients should discuss this with their doctor. Finally, patients must follow a donation schedule of waiting 112 days when they do an automated double red cell collection.