One standard whole‑blood donation is usually separated into different components: red blood cells, plasma and sometimes platelets or cryoprecipitate. Each of these can be given to different patients depending on their needs.

For example:

·       Red cells might go to a surgery or trauma patient.

·       Plasma might help someone with severe bleeding or liver disease.

·       Platelets might support a child on chemotherapy with a very low platelet count.

Because of this, one whole‑blood donation can help up to three different people, and sometimes even more indirectly if plasma is used in smaller portions or processed further. When you donate regularly over years, you can easily support dozens of patients.