Anemia/Anemic
The condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased.

Antibody
Protein that react with antigens on red blood cells and may destroy transfused red blood cells.

Anticoagulant
A substance that prevents the clotting or thickening of blood.

Antigen
A substance on the surface of red blood cells that elicits an immune response when transfused into a patient who lacks that antigen.

Apheresis
A procedure where whole blood is removed from the body and a desired component is retained, while the remainder of the blood is returned to the donor.

Autoimmune
The process of making antibodies against one’s self (one’s intrinsic antigens).

Autologous Blood Donations
Blood that the donor has previously donated and then receives back, usually during surgery.

Blood drive captains
Enthusiastic representatives of an organization that publicize the blood drive and recruit donors.

Blood type
Everyone’s blood falls into one of four groups, or types: A, B, AB or O. The type depends on the presence or absence of certain substances on red blood cells. Blood types are inherited.

CMV (Cytomegalovirus)
A virus that may cause flu-like symptoms in the general population, but may cause severe disease in premature babies, bone marrow transplant recipients, and AIDS patients.

Component
A "part" of blood. Blood is made up of different "parts" or components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and several types of white blood cells. Each component has its own job to do. We can separate blood into components so patients can be transfused only with what they need.

Directed Blood Donations
Is when a donation is directed to a specific patient for transfusion.

Donate / donation
To give blood. A blood donation is a little less than one pint. Specific components can also be donated.

Fresh Frozen Plasma
Plasma that is frozen within hours after donation to preserve clotting factors.

Granulocytes
A type of white blood cell that attacks and destroys foreign substances.

Hematocrit
A measure of the amount of red blood cells in your body.

Hemoglobin
The molecule in the red blood cell that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin combines with oxygen in the lungs and releases it in the tissues. It is what makes blood red.

HTLV
A virus that may cause blood or nerve disease.

Hypoxemia
Low oxygen levels in the blood.

Immunoglobin alpha (IgA)
A type of immunoglobulin present in blood and body secretions which may aid in fighting infections.

Metabolic
Pertaining to all chemical functions within the body.

Plasma
The liquid portion of the blood, which contains proteins (albumin) and clotting proteins (fibrinogen, globulins).

Plateletpheresis
An apheresis procedure where platelets are collected.

Platelets
Colorless cells whose main function is to control bleeding. Platelets are essential to normal blood clotting. They can be wiped out during treatment for cancer, leukemia, aplastic anemia and other diseases.

Red Cells
Red cells transport oxygen to body cells and remove carbon dioxide. Red cells contain iron in the hemoglobin.

Rh
The Rh factor is an inherited blood group on red blood cells like the ABO blood types. About 85% of the people in this country have it. Those who have it are "Rh-positive," those who don’t are "Rh-negative."

Transfusion
Replacing blood or blood components a body has lost in surgery, through an accident, or as a result of medical treatment such as chemotherapy.

von Willebrand disease
A type of blood clotting disorder.

Warfarin effect
Refers to the effect of thinning of the blood by a medication known as warfarin or coumadin.

White Cells (Leukocytes)
The protective cells in the bloodstream. They attack bacteria by squeezing through capillary walls to reach the area of infection.