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Blood (called whole blood) can be used on its own but is usually separated into three basic components:

• Red blood cells
• Plasma
• Platelets

While whole blood is used only in cases of severe blood loss due to surgery and trauma or for exchange transfusions in infants, most donations are separated into transfusable components through a special spinning or centrifugation process.

Transfusion patients will be treated only with the particular component or blood product that their injury or illness requires.

Each donation that the WPBTS receives is used as effectively as possible and can therefore contribute to saving up to four lives.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissue where the cells also pick up and return carbon dioxide to the lungs where it is exhaled from the body.
These essential cells can be frozen or must be used within 42 days of donation if fresh.

Red cells are used to replace losses as a result of accidents/trauma, childbirth, surgery and for burn victims. They are also essential in the treatment of various kinds of anaemia linked to cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or sickle cell anaemia.

Plasma comprises approximately half of each unit of whole blood. It is the liquid which literally floats the cells throughout the body and contains nutrients and proteins.
It is used primarily as a source for clotting factors, the replacement of blood volume and the production of albumin, a protein used to treat severe shock, burns and blood loss.

Fresh frozen plasma (rich in clotting factors) has a shelf life of one year and is used during cardiac surgery and childbirth.

Cryoprecipitate is a small portion of plasma that is harvested using a freeze-thaw process. It contains factors to help blood clot and is used primarily as a source of clotting Factor VIII for patients with classic haemophilia.

Stabilised Human Serum is used for the treatment of burn wounds and hypovolaemia.

Platelets help blood clot and are used to treat patients with bone marrow production problems and in the treatment of illnesses such as leukaemia. Platelets must be harvested within eight hours of donation and are stored at room temperature in a gently agitated state so as to be functional when transfused. They must be used within five days of donation.