Power Red Donation

Winter Weather Impacts Blood Donations

Severe winter weather has forced the cancellation of blood drives and closure of donation centers in parts of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Hundreds of blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected. If you are in an area where it is safe to travel, please schedule to donate now.

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Power Red Donation

A Power Red donation allows you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation.

What is a Power Red Donation?

Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you.

Maximize your impact and schedule a Power Red donation today!

The Benefits

Why should you do it? You may already know about the ongoing need for blood and the importance of your blood donations. Whole blood donations contain red blood cells, platelets, plasma and white blood cells. Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component and are needed by almost every type of patient requiring transfusion. If you meet certain criteria, Power Red allows you to safely donate two units of red cells during one appointment as an automated donation process. It is as safe as whole blood donation.
How is it different? During your Power Red, blood is drawn from one arm through an automated process. The machine separates and collects two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you through the same arm.
Save time and make your blood donation go further: If you are extremely busy, committed to donating blood and an eligible type O, A negative or B negative donor, Power Red may be ideal for you. Each procedure lets you give more of the product that is needed most by patients. Power Red (double red cell donation) takes approximately 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation and you can donate approximately every four months.
Feel better: With all of your platelets and plasma returned to you along with some saline, you don’t lose the liquid portion of your blood and may feel more hydrated after your donation.

Am I Eligible to Donate?

In addition to meeting other whole blood donor qualifications, you must also meet specific criteria for donating Power Red, especially for hemoglobin, weight and height. The thresholds for each vary by gender.

Power Red is for type O, A negative or B negative donors
Donation Frequency: Every 112 days, up to 3 times/year*; 2 times/year for male donors under age 18
You must be in good health and feeling well**
Male donors⁺must be at least 17 years old in most states, at least 5'1" tall and weigh at least 130 lbs.
Female donors⁺ must be at least 19 years old, at least 5'5" tall and weigh at least 150 lbs.

View all eligibility requirements »

Ready to Donate?

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*Disclaimers

^*If more than one type of donation type is made, the number of allowable donations per year will be lowered due to red cell and plasma loss limit guidelines. Final eligibility will be determined by the American Red Cross at the time of donation.

^**Healthy means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, healthy also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control. If you are not feeling well on the day of your donation, please contact us to reschedule.

⁺Please note higher requirements may apply in certain cases. Check with your donor center to confirm.