Children with cancer, aplastic anemia, blood disorders and those undergoing certain types of surgery need blood products. Bone marrow transplant patients and newborns at Children’s Hospital of Orange County may need white blood cells to help fight off infections when their immune systems
are weak.

Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s Blood and Donor Services relies on volunteer blood donors like you, your friends, neighbors and co-workers to meet these needs. Many of our volunteers donate regularly. Every time they visit our Donor Center, they leave knowing they are having a direct impact on the recovery of a child.

What is Blood?
Blood consists of plasma, platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. Plasma holds blood clotting factors and immune complexes that regulate body functions. Platelets are needed to help clot blood and prevent hemorrhages. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. White blood cells fight infection. When a child needs a blood transfusion, they usually get only one blood component at a time.

Types of Blood Donation
There are two different types of blood donations. One type is called whole blood donation and the other is called apheresis.

Whole Blood Donation
The donor donates approximately 15 ounces of whole blood. The components most desired from this type of donation are the red blood cells and, at times, the plasma.

Apheresis
The process of apheresis is used to collect platelets or white blood cells. The word “apheresis” is Greek, meaning to separate. Machines called cell separators are used to make it possible to remove only the needed platelets or white blood cells. Approximately 8 ounces of the component is collected and the rest of your blood is returned to you.

Is Donating Blood Safe?
There is no danger in getting AIDS or other diseases from giving blood or blood products. Sterile, one-time-use disposable needles, tubing and collection bags are used to protect you. Registered nurses who are specially trained in blood collection will remain with you during the entire donation process.

Are there any side effects?
Side effects as the result of blood donation are rare. The donor center nursing staff will educate you on any potential side effects that you could possibly experience. Healthy people have an excess supply of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells. The donated platelets or white blood cells are replenished in just two days and red blood cells are replenished within 56 days.

Blood Donors Must:
	Be in good health
	Be at least 17 years old
	Weigh at least 110 pounds
	Have no history of hepatitis or AIDS
	Have no history of chest pain or cardiac surgery
	Not have had body piercing or tattooing within 12 months
On the Day of Donation, Blood Donors Must:
	Bring a photo ID to the donor center
	Be free of cold and flu symptoms
	Eat a good meal within three hours of donating
	Have medications and medical conditions reviewed by the donor center staff
	Not have taken any aspirin, aspirin products or ibuprofen within 48 hours of donating platelets by apheresis
When you come to Donate:
	We will ask you questions about your medical history
	We will check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count for anemia
	Registered nurses collect the blood product from your arm while you watch television, see a video, read a book or just relax
	You will be given post-donation instructions and refreshments before you leave
	The total donation process takes about one hour for whole blood donation and two and one-half hours for platelet donation

To become a blood donor for the Kids at CHOC, you can call
CHOC Blood and Donor Services or email us at donatebloodforkids@choc.org to make an appointment.

CHOC BLOOD AND DONOR SERVICES
(714) 532-8339

Blood and Donor Services Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 7:00 pm

The last apheresis appointment is at 5:00 p.m.
The last whole blood donation is at 5:30 p.m.

Blood and Donor Services Located:
505 S. Main St., Suite 185, Orange, Ca., 92868

Bone Marrow Information:
e-mail: outreach@nmdp.org or call 1-800-627-7692