Angela Oakman – Blood Components and Shelf Life: Every Donation Has a Deadline
Angela Oakman, Clinical Research Consultant at AK Clinical Research, posted on LinkedIn:
”In light of the unprecedented blood donation volume this past week, I wondered, how long does donor blood actually last?
Not as long as most people think and it depends on the component it’s broken down into prior to storage.
Here’s the reality:
– Red blood cells: 35–42 days (refrigerated)
– Platelets: just 5–7 days (room temp, constant agitation)
– Plasma: up to 12 months (frozen)
– Frozen red cells (rare types): up to 10 years
Blood isn’t a single product; one donation becomes multiple lifesaving therapies, each with its own shelf life. For components like platelets, the expiry window is measured in days, not weeks.
That’s why regular blood donation matters (can you hear me at the back?)
If you’re eligible, book and Donate Blood today.
If you’ve donated before, schedule your next appointment, do this ideally before you even leave the donor centre!
If you can’t donate, encourage someone who can, or consider raising funds or donating your time to this life-saving service.
Because every donation has a clock on it and every unit counts.
My December donation is done and dusted, just days before the tragedy in Bondi, and my March donation is already booked. Donating now is good, donating regularly is great. To all those first-time blood donors who rolled up their sleeves this week, I urge you to return, I urge you to be great.”
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