What is a Power Red blood donation? Like plasma and platelet donations, a Power Red donation separates a component of your blood and returns the others. 

A Power Red donation is when you donate your red blood cells. It also goes by the name double red cell donation since you donate twice the red blood cells as a whole blood donation.

Red blood cells can be separated from a whole blood donation. However, a Power Red donation gives medical professionals twice the blood component most needed in transfusions. 

The process only uses one arm, like a plasma donation, and incorporates saline with the blood you receive back. Donors report feeling more hydrated after a donation.

The job of red blood cells is to carry oxygen throughout our bodies. Our bone marrow produces red blood cells. A low red blood count – also known as anemia – count can cause:

• Fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling weak. 

Anemia can occur because of a poor diet, kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, trauma, and other health conditions. Red blood cells can also help treat blood disorders like sickle cell disease. 

You must have type O, A, and B without Rh (negative) to donate red blood cells only. Those with O negative are strongly encouraged to donate since they are universal donors. 

You must also:

• Be in good health.
• Weigh at least 130 pounds as a male or 150 as a woman.
• Be at least 5’1” as a male or 5’5” as a female.

You can donate double red cells about every four months, up to three times a year. You can donate whole blood more frequently.