Plasma donation
As a plasma donor, you only donate plasma, which consists primarily of fluid and proteins. You can only be a plasma donor if you are already a blood donor.
Plasma (in its entirety) is administered to patients severe blood loss, to restore the blood coagulation. Plasma is also used to make medicines.
Plasma donation; more information.
Platelet donation
There are platelets (thrombocytes) in every blood donation. This allows us to help patients who cannot make enough platelets themselves. These patients often have a malignant blood disease, like leukemia, and are undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Sometimes a transfusion of pooled platelets does not help, because the patient's body immediately breaks down the donor's platelets. In such cases, we ask a specific donor to give blood platelets that matches the patient's. You can only donate platelets if you are already a blood or plasma donor.
Platelet donation; more information.
Donating stem cells
Blood stem cells are cells that give rise to new cells, and are found in the bone marrow cavities of our bones. Blood stem cells produce cells you can find in your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets (thrombocytes). Patients with blood diseases may need a transplant of healthy stem cells from a donor.
You can donate stem cells at Matchis. Blood stem cells are constantly replaced by the body, so you can easily miss them and have them created again. Are you healthy, at least 18 years old, not older than 55 and do you live in the Netherlands? Then you can register as a stem cell donor.
Donating stem cells; more information.
Cord blood donation
At Sanquin, we store stem cells from umbilical cord blood at the cord blood bank. The cord blood is donated directly after the baby is born, once the umbilical cord has been cut. It is entirely painless and without any risk.
Cord blood donation; more information.
Donating blood for yourself
If you need a blood transfusion, it may be desirable to use your own blood. During autologous blood donation, you donate blood for yourself a few times prior to the operation.
An autologous blood donation is possible with Sanquin Blood Supply under a certain circumstances, for example for a planned operation. In order to qualify for autologous blood donation, your doctor must submit a request to the blood bank.