What you must know to donate plasma and platelets

Making donation safe for you - and those you help with your donation
 

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General information

Your presence here is voluntary. You may leave at any time. If you do decide to leave, please inform one of our team members.

  • Drinking fluids before, during and after your donation as well as eating something salty, will help maintain your blood volume and improve your donation experience.
  • Let us know if you are feeling dizzy or unwell at any time.
  • Let us know if you are allergic to latex or the powder used in medical gloves.
  • Whether or not you donate, your information may be kept on file.
  • Iron deficiency may occur over time from the loss of blood taken for testing. Red blood cells are rich in hemoglobin which contains iron. A diet rich in iron is advised for all donors. If you donate frequently, ask your healthcare provider about taking iron supplements and the need to check your iron stores (ferritin).
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Before you donate

  • Have something to eat in the hours before you donate. Avoid fatty foods such as bacon or fried food.
  • Drink at least 500 ml of water or juice just before your donation.
  • You will complete a questionnaire.
  • We will confirm your identity.
  • We may check your:
    • Temperature
    • Height and weight
Icon of a plasma donation bag

While you donate

  • The needle used during your donation is sterile and will only be used once and then discarded. 
  • During the collection procedure, anticoagulant is added to your donation to prevent clotting. 

Red blood cells, along with some anticoagulant are returned to you while your plasma and/or platelets are being collected. Although very rare, the following can occur when your red blood cells are returned: 

  • The rupture of some red blood cells (hemolysis). 
  • An allergic reaction (itching). 
  • An air bubble that blocks flow in a blood vessel (the tubing is continuously monitored for air bubbles). 

Please alert a team member if you experience unusual symptoms such as tingling around the mouth, chills, heaviness in the chest, difficulty breathing, chest pain, back pain or general discomfort. Some of these symptoms can be alleviated by slowing down the procedure.

Occasionally, the red blood cells cannot be returned to a donor. If so a temporary deferral from donating may be required for your safety, depending on the volume of red blood cell loss.

Icon of a blood donor and recipient

After you donate

  • We will place a bandage on your arm.
  • You may be asked to put pressure on the needle site.
  • Rest for a few minutes before getting up.
  • You are encouraged to stay in the refreshment area for about 15 minutes to re-hydrate and have a snack.
  • If you feel faint, sit down and rest for a few minutes with your head between your knees or lie down.

After you leave the donor centre

  • Continue to drink plenty of fluids such as water or juice (avoid alcoholic beverages) throughout the rest of your day. 
  • If you feel faint and you are driving, pull over. Resume driving only when you have fully recovered or call for help. 
  • Leave the bandage on for at least 1 hour, then remove the bandage and wash the donation area with soap and water to prevent a rash. 
    • If you are still bleeding after removing the bandage, re-apply the bandage, apply pressure for 5 minutes and remove the bandage after 4 hours. 
  • You should avoid strenuous activity for six to eight hours and heavy lifting for 24 hours after donating. 
  • Jobs that expose you to risk (such as bus drivers and heavy equipment operators) may also require some time off. 

Adverse reactions

A small number of donors may:
  • Feel tired for a day or two. 
  • Develop a bruise, redness or a rash at the needle site. 
    • Apply ice on and off if there is swelling. 
    • For discomfort, take acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours you may take acetaminophen, ASA (e.g. Aspirin) or other anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). 
  • Feel faint, dizzy and/or nauseated. 
  • Faint and/or have muscle spasms. 
  • Suffer nerve damage, arm pain or numbness. 
    • Apply ice on and off if there is swelling.
    • For discomfort, take acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, take ASA (e.g. Aspirin) or other anti- inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). 

Consult a healthcare provider if any of these symptoms persist or are concerning to you.

HIV and hepatitis

  • Sexual contact1 or the sharing of needles or syringes can contribute to the spread of HIV and hepatitis.
  • Because the tests for HIV and hepatitis virus cannot detect all infections, you will be asked about certain risk activities.
  • You will be asked if you have had a new sexual partner in the last 3 months. A new sexual partner means the following:
    • someone with whom you have not had sex before
      or
    • someone with whom you had a past sexual relationship that ended, and with whom you have started having sex again in the last 3 months.

1 Sexual contact means the following, even if a condom or barrier device was used:

  • Vaginal intercourse (contact between the penis and vagina).
  • Oral sex (mouth or tongue on someone’s vagina, penis or anus).
  • Anal intercourse (contact between the penis and anus).

Testing your blood

We test your blood group (ABO and Rh) as required.

Hemoglobin by finger stick will be done with every donation.

Protein levels may be done for some plasma donations.

Platelet counts will be done with every platelet donation.

Your blood may also be tested for the following infectious diseases as they are known to spread to others through blood.

Tested with every donation
  1. Hepatitis B virus*
  2. Hepatitis C virus*
  3. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)*
  4. Syphilis*
  5. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)*
Tested as required
  1. Chagas disease*
  2. West Nile virus*
  3. Parvovirus B19
  4. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  5. Bacteria
  6. Hepatitis A virus

Other tests may be done on some donations. These include testing for other blood groups, including human leukocyte antigens (HLA), and ferritin (iron stores). 

You will be informed of unusual results from any of the tests. 

*If your test result is abnormal:

  • You will be notified of your test results and eligibility to donate.
  • Your donation will not be used.
  • If your tests are confirmed positive, you will no longer be eligible to donate (with the exception of West Nile virus).

This information is intended for people giving large volume source plasma donations who will receive fluid replacement:

  • The volume of plasma collected will depend on your gender, weight and height and donation history. 
  • For large volume source plasma donations, IV (intravenous) fluids are given immediately after your donation to replace the lost plasma volume. This helps minimize the chance of feeling faint, dizzy and/or nauseated after your donation. 
  • The replacement solution we use is saline –  a mixture of sodium chloride (salt) and water*. 
  • *The saline solution is stored at room temperature and may feel cool when infused. 

Did you know?

You can create your donor account at myaccount.blood.ca, or use our free GiveBlood app to manage your preferences and much more.

Questions?

  • Ask one of our team members.
  • Visit our website blood.ca.
  • Call 1 888 2 DONATE (1.888.236.6283).
  • For more information on iron, click here.
  • For information about what happens to your donation, click here.

Contact us at 1 888 2 DONATE (1.888.236.6283) if:

  • You forgot to tell us something related to your health, travel history or lifestyle.
  • You decide your donation should not be used for any reason.
  • You experience an adverse reaction (for more information see section on adverse reactions).
  • You get sick or have diarrhea in the week after donating.
  • In the next two weeks you are told by a healthcare provider that you have West Nile virus or Zika virus.
  • In the next year, you are told by a healthcare provider that you have hepatitis or HIV.