Archie's story
Archie relied on transfusions for 10 years
Blood components
Blood is often separated into its individual components, so patients can be given what they need, for example red blood cells or platelets.
This is called blood component therapy. It means we make the most of every blood donation, as the components in one unit of blood (or one donation) can be used to treat different patients.
Red blood cells
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which distributes oxygen to body tissues, and carries waste carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
Red blood cells are used to treat all kinds of anaemia (where people have low haemoglobin levels) including:
- as a result of rheumatoid arthritis or cancer
- when red cells break down in newborn babies
- sickle cell disorder
Red blood cell transfusions replace the heavy blood loss that can occur in an accident, during surgery or in childbirth.
White blood cells
White blood cells fight infection and are part of the body's defence system. White cell transfusions may be given to patients suffering from life-threatening infections whose normal defence mechanisms don't seem to be responding to antibiotics.
Platelets
Platelets are crucial in helping blood to clot: they do this by clumping together to stop bleeding after an injury. They can be used:
- to treat cases of bone marrow failure
- following a transplant or chemotherapy treatments
- to treat leukaemia
Find out about switching from giving blood to platelets
Plasma
Plasma is the fluid that carries platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells around the body.
Plasma contains antibodies, proteins and other substances which can be used to make lifesaving medicines. Some plasma can also be given to patients as a transfusion.
