Sanquin Home Sanquin Home Sanquin
Home ● Contact ● Sanquin ● News ● Jobs ● Sitemap ●
The destination of your blood

At Sanquin, we refer to blood, as it comes out of the vein of the donor, as 'whole blood'. Whole blood as such is almost never directly used for blood transfusion. Patients generally only have a need for a certain component of the blood (for example, only for red blood cells or blood platelets) and therefore only receive the component they require. The remaining components can be used by other patients. This is not only done from a medical point of view, but also because it results in the blood being of benefit to even more patients.

After the donation, your blood will be separated into different components before it is used for patients. In this way, different patients can be helped by your donation. We distinguish between the following components in this regard:

    • The red blood cells
      which are chiefly used with serious haemorrhages or anaemias;
    • The blood platelets
      which are chiefly given to patients with a haematologic disorder such as leukaemia;
    • The blood plasma
      which is used when the patient has a shortage of coagulant factors.

A portion of the donated blood is sometimes used for research with the purpose of improving blood transfusion and the treatment of illnesses. You are allowed to object to this. Sometimes, the entire blood donation will be used for research, in which case you will be asked for a separate written consent.




« back