Blood donation

Blood donation - The process of giving blood for use in blood transfusion. Donated blood is tested for a range of infectious agents such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C and antibodies to HIV.

After being classified into blood groups, the blood is stored in a blood bank, either whole or separated into its different components (see blood products). Apheresis is a type of blood donation in which only a specific blood component, such as plasma, platelets, or white cells, is withdrawn from the donor.