Authors (including presenting author) :
Ho LK(1), Lam SY(1), Li SY(1), Chu CY(1), Kong SY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service
Keyword 1: :
Apheresis donation
Keyword 3: :
Universal platelet
Keyword 4: :
Universal plasma
Keyword 5: :
Adverse transfusion reaction
Keyword 6: :
Blood donors
Introduction :
The implementation of patient blood management reduced red cell demand significantly and apheresis donation has become a global trend. The unique immunological property of group AB donors, which lacks anti-A and anti-B antibody, renders group AB plasma and platelets “Universal” to recipients and minimizes the risk of adverse transfusion reaction. The recruitment of group AB apheresis donors is also important to reduce red cell wastage as the demand of group AB red cell is generally low. As the only apheresis donation centre, West Kowloon Donor Centre (WKC) of Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (HKRCBTS) plays an essential role in sustaining stable supply of apheresis blood products by recruiting and retaining apheresis donors. Currently, WKC service capacity is fully utilized at weekends whereas appointments are underused on weekdays. In response, HKRCBTS launched a program in June 2025 to tackle both issues.
Objectives :
The program aims to convert group AB whole blood donors to apheresis donors and 1) collect more group AB apheresis platelet and apheresis plasma, and 2) maximize the WKC service utilization on weekdays.
Methodology :
In June 2025, letters with a survey invitation QR code were sent to 3421 group AB whole blood donors. Through the survey, donors could understand the uniqueness of group AB blood and apheresis service in WKC. Interested donors who expressed their willingness to join apheresis program would be followed up by WKC nurses for the recruitment progress.
Result & Outcome :
Among the 449 respondents, 239 donors consented for email follow-up and received a thankyou email with apheresis-related information. For 49 respondents who requested phone follow-up, WKC nurses provided information via phone with invitation and 36 donors agreed for recruitment. 12 donors attended and proceeded with recruitment procedure. WKC nurses followed up these donors till December and 7 donors successfully completed apheresis donation for 1-5 times from June to December 2025. In total, 19 apheresis donations were achieved in which 11 donations took place on weekdays, with 21 units of apheresis plasma and 17 units of apheresis platelet collected. Since program was launched, WKC has received a significant increase in number of enquiry about apheresis donation and newly-recruited group AB apheresis donors. The program successfully ignited the enthusiasm of group AB donors in apheresis donation. Further promotion of apheresis donation at various platforms is suggested to enhance public awareness about the worldwide emergence of apheresis donation, especially for group AB donors.
