A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions and/or made into biopharmaceutical medications by a process called fractionation (separation of whole-blood components).

Key Facts Whole blood is blood that contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. A whole blood donation is divided into components, such as red blood cells and platelets that are used to treat different types of patient needs. All whole blood donations undergo leukoreduction to remove white blood cells, which reduces the risk of serious immune reactions that recipients may have when exposed to donor white cells.

A whole blood donation is the most common form of blood donation in which a person gives one pint of blood. After your donation, our lab separates the whole blood into its components.

A whole blood donation is the most common form of blood donation in which a person gives one pint of blood. After your donation, our lab separates the whole blood into its components.

Back to top 1. Can you explain the blood donation process? Donating blood takes about an hour from the time you arrive until you are ready to leave.

When you donate Whole Blood, one pint is taken during donation. It is later separated into three components. Red Cells; Platelets; Plasma; It takes six people to make up one unit of platelets.

Register to be a blood donor, give blood and save lives. Find out more about blood donation.

People with specific blood types are encouraged to target their blood type by making a whole blood donation. Whole blood donation is what most people are familiar with.

Canadian Blood Services now offers you quick and easy ways to book your blood donation appointment to save lives. Book on our website or on the GiveBlood App, 24/7 from the comfort of your home, work or on the go!