Whole blood, plasma, or platelets?

It does not really matter. The Lab tech people will make use of everything in the whole blood. They will separate it unto plasma, platelets, etc as the need arises. If required they can give the whole blood to whomso needs it. Don't bother about the details. The specialist will deal with it. In the end, give whatever is in your mind.

Depends on the donation station... if you can donate platelets, try it. Its different than just a regular donation.

What they do is hook you up like they regularly do but they filter out and harvest only platelets and return the rest to you. So its like a giant filter going through your body. Kinda cool, red cross and hospitals like having platelet donors.

Check it out:

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/types-...

the blood bank will decide. Usually packed cells and plasma are made from whole blood but other things can be too