Granulocyte Donations

What are granulocytes?

Granulocytes are one of three types of white blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) that contain microscopic granules containing enzymes, and compounds that digest microorganisms.

Download Granulocytes Data Sheet
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Granulocyte Donor Story

Who needs granulocytes?

Ganulocytes help immune suppressed patients (like bone marrow recipients) survive even the smallest infection.

Who can be a granulocyte donor?

Granulocyte donors are specifically asked to donate for a particular patient in a hospital, often on an emergency basis. The donor must match the patient need. Often the request to make a granulocyte donation is just 18 hours before your donation is needed.

How often can you donate granulocytes?

Granulocytes must be transfused within 24 hours of donation; the preferred transfusion time is 12 hours. Donors can donate granulocytes every 28 days. Donors are asked to take prednisone (provided by the Red Cross at no cost to the donor) prior to donating to help improve the amount of granulocytes in their blood stream.