Anemia
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Anemia is a shortage of red blood cells in the blood.
Apheresis
Apheresis (a-fur-E-sis) is the term used to apply to the collection of blood components: platelets, plasma and/or red cells. White cells are typically not collected because they are rarely transfused.
Bone Marrow
Bone marrow is the soft tissue located inside bones. Bone marrow produces blood cells: red cells, plasma and platelets.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia (hem-o-FEEL-e-a) is an inherited disease in which a particular clotting factor is missing. This means that when people with hemophilia receive an injury that breaks the skin, it takes longer for their body to stop the bleeding and start healing. For information on our Comprehensive Center for Bleeding Disorders, click here.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (id-ee-o-PATH-ic throm-bo-cy-to-PE-nic pur-PUR-a) is a bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot as it should. This is due to too few platelets. A symptom of ITP is frequent bruising of the skin. For more information on ITP from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, click here.
Platelets
Platelets are one of the components of blood, along with plasma, red cells and white cells. Platelets, or thrombocytes (THROM-bo-sites), are made in bone marrow. They circulate through blood vessels and help stop bleeding by sticking together to seal small cuts or breaks in blood vessels.
Plasma
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. One pint of blood contains about half a pint of plasma. Plasma is composed of proteins and salts and impacts blood pressure.
Red Cells
Red cells are one of the components of blood along with platelets, plasma and white cells. Red cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. An insufficient amount of red cells can result in anemia.
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disease that affects red blood cells. Normal red blood cells are smooth and round. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become hard, sticky, and shaped like sickles or crescents. Their shape causes them to block the flow of blood in blood vessels. Resulting symptoms can include joint pain, headaches and anemia. Persons with sickle cell disease can require frequent transfusions. For more information on sickle cell disease from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, click here.
White Cells
White cells are one of the components of blood, along with platelets, plasma and red cells. White cells or leukocytes (LUKE-o-sites) help the body to fight infection.
Transfusion
A transfusion is the introduction of blood or blood components (platelets, plasma or red blood cells) directly into the bloodstream. It is the process by which patients receive donors’ blood.
von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
VWD is a bleeding disorder which can be inherited from either parent. It affects all ethnic groups, and is the most common bleeding disorder. The disease can be mild to severe, and symptoms vary. Symptoms include nosebleeds, easy bruising, heavy menstrual periods, and prolonged bleeding after surgery, childbirth, or injury.
