What drives a hero? What makes them go above and beyond? Do you have it in you to take the next step and save even more lives? If so, you can become an advanced donor by customizing your blood donation using advanced technology called "automation." After a normal whole blood donation, the blood is usually sent to a lab to be separated into its 3 main components - platelets, red blood cells, and plasma. Sometimes it takes several whole blood donations to gather enough of a given component to transfuse into a waiting patient.

But by becoming an advanced donor, your donation can go even further because you give only the component that is needed by the patient. Sometimes, you give platelets. Other times, it could be red blood cells, plasma, or a combination of two components. You can even give a "double red cell" donation. When you donate in this way, the remainder of your blood stays with you. That means you may be able to donate more than the standard 6 times a year. So, you're actually giving more by giving less! An advanced donation is targeted specifically to a current need. It also eliminates the costly lab procedure of separating components because your component is separated by the machine while you're in the chair.

Advanced giving is THE most effective way to maximize your donation. To find out more about becoming a Red Cross {HERO} browse the items in the column to the left. If you already know you want to become a {HERO}, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE and say "I want to take the next step" or e-mail a request for an appointment to RVRApheresis@usa.redcross.org.