About Blood

The potential of a gift of blood  

A single blood donation contributes to the making of up to 12 products all serving a vital function to help others in need.

 

To view a poster of the various blood products and their functions go to Resources and Links page, under information posters. ("Ever wonder what happens to blood" poster).

 

Specific Immunoglobulins

protect against Chicken-pox, Tetanus and Hepatitis B in patients at risk from these infections.

 

Red Blood Cells

are required for treatment of anaemia and bleeding after trauma or surgery. For more information about red blood cells click here.

 

Cryoprecipitate

contains blood clotting factors and is used for traumas, cardiac surgery and liver transplants.

 

Factor IX Concentrate

is used for the treatment of an inherited bleeding condition called Haemophilia B (or Christmas disease).

 

Intravenous Immunoglobulin

is used to boost the immune system of patients with immune deficiencies.

 

Fresh Frozen Plasma

is used to treat patients who have clotting problems often after trauma or liver transplant. For more information about plasma click here.

 

Normal Immunoglobulin

mainly used for prevention of Hepatitis A in people who travel overseas in risk areas.

 

Factor VIII

is used for management of Haemophilia A. For people with Haemophilia, a simple injury may require a transfusion of this product, extracted from blood donations.

 

Platelets

help the clotting process by sticking to the lining of blood vessels. For more information about platelets click here.