Double Red Cell

Each Year, nearly 6,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the NIH Clinical Center to treat patients undergoing cancer therapy, organ and tissue transplants and other diseases that require blood transfusions. If you'd like to donate but can't seem to find the time, now there is a new donation option at the NIH Department of Transfusion Medicine called Double Red Cell Apheresis (DRCA). This procedure will let you give two units of red cells in one visit to the blood bank. While the procedure itself takes slightly longer, you won't be eligible to donate again for 4 months.
In addition to saving time spent traveling, parking, and undergoing medical screening on two different occasions, there are numerous advantages to Clinical Center patients.

What Is Double Red Cell Apheresis?
Double red cell apheresis is a procedure that allows a donor to give two units of red cells at the same time. This is done by a procedure called "apheresis", which has been used for many years to separate whole blood into component parts such as red blood cells, platelets, plasma and white blood cells. To remove red cells, a needle is placed in your arm and the blood flows into a sterile, disposable plastic kit installed in a machine designed specifically for this purpose. As blood enters the machine, the bowl is spinning at a very high rate of speed. This causes the components of the blood to separate so that the red blood cells can be siphoned into a blood bag. Plasma and other parts of the blood are than returned to you through the same needle. The process is repeated to collect two units of red blood cells.

Is Double Red Cell Apheresis (DRCA) Safe?
Absolutely! The machine and the procedure have been evaluated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and all plastics and needles coming into contact with you are used once and discarded. At no time during the procedure is the blood being returned to you detached from the needle in your arm so there is absolutely no risk of returning the wrong blood to you.

What Are The Donor Requirements?
Because you will be losing more red blood cells during this procedure the following criteria is different than whole blood donation.
Men
Minimum weight - 130 puunds
Minimum height - 5'1"

Women
Minimum weight - 150 puunds
Minimum height - 5'5"

All donors must have a slightly higher red cell count that is validated by a hemoglobin of 13.3 gm/dl. To assure that you do not become anemic the interval between DRCA and other donations is 4 months.

To see other Donor Criteria please click here.

How Long Does The Procedure Take?
The time required to remove two units of reds cells is about 45 minutes. Allow an hour and 15 minutes from start to finish. Because you'll be with us longer, there will be time to watch TV, read or just chat with staff and other donors. Every effort will be made to make the experience relaxing and enjoyable.

How do I Arrange to Donate?
Contact an NIH Blood Bank donor recruiter at (301)496-1048 to make an appointment for DRCA. Blood collection hours are Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.