Blood donors play a valuable and essential role in today's health care system. Every day, hospital patients receive lifesaving blood transfusions. The blood that these patients receive is provided by volunteer blood donors.
There is no substitute for human blood. Our blood supply is a result of healthy, caring citizens voluntarily donating blood to be used by anyone who needs it.
To read a newspaper article written by a Wisconsin doctor with first-hand knowledge about the importance of blood donation, click here.
Most people donate whole blood. The entire donation process is usually completed in under an hour, and the actual donation takes less than 15 minutes. Whole blood contains red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and other blood components.
People can also donate specific blood components: platelets, plasma, and red blood cells. This is done through a process called apheresis, with an automated blood collection system. If you'd like to learn more about donating platelets, plasma, or red blood cells through apheresis, please call us at (800)280-4102.
Donating blood is a rewarding way to give back to your community and help others. Many people feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction after giving blood. When you donate blood, you know that you are touching someone's life in a very real and special way.