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Your time can mean a lifetime! The need for platelets is increasing daily. More and more patients are benefiting from the transfusion therapy platelet donors make possible. Contributing your time as a platelet donor can mean the difference between sickness and health or life and death to someone in need.
What are Platelets and how can I donate?
You can donate platelets through a process called Apheresis (pronounced ay-fuh-REE-sis), which is a technique of selectively withdrawing a single component of blood. The components most often collected through this process are platelets and plasma. Platelets are tiny blood cells that induce clotting and prevent bleeding. Plasma, the liquid that carries blood cells, may also be collected during an apheresis donation. Plasma is vital for burn victims and patients with severe liver disease.
Platelets are used in treating serious health problems such as leukemia, cancer, aplastic anemia or those who require bone marrow or other organ transplants. They can often mean the difference between life and death. Due to recent advances in the treatment of these illnesses, the demand for platelets is growing dramatically. Whole blood donations alone can no longer meet current needs. Each pint of blood contains only a small amount of platelets, about three tablespoons. It takes 6 to 8 whole blood donors, compared to one platelet donor, to provide the effective dose of platelets for a patient’s treatment.
Platelets must be transfused within five days. They cannot be frozen or stored for the future, yet we know patients will need platelets next week, next month and throughout the year. Patients depend upon dedicated platelet donors who give frequently throughout the year. Platelets can be donated as often as every 3 days but no more than 24 times a year.
What happens during a platelet donation?
In the beginning, a platelet donation is very similar to a whole blood donation. Platelet donors come to the donor center and go through the same medical/health history check and mini physical as a whole blood donor. The entire process of donating platelets, from registration to refreshments, takes about two to two and a half hours. The procedure is longer than a regular whole blood donation because it takes more time to separate and collect the platelets from the other components in your blood. During this time, you can sit back in a comfortable chair, relax, watch a movie or talk to our friendly staff. While you relax, a small portion of your blood (less than one pint at a time), is drawn from your arm and passed through a cell-separating machine which collects the platelets and returns the rest of your blood components to you. Your blood passes through a sterile, disposable kit that is used once, just for you, and discarded. Your blood never touches the machine. Unlike whole blood, the platelet donation itself takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Apheresis donation is a safe process. Although larger numbers of platelets are collected by apheresis than through a whole blood donation, there is no bleeding risk for a healthy donor because the body contains many platelets in reserve and quickly replaces the donated platelets.
Am I eligible to donate Platelets?
To donate platelets you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and provide a valid photo ID upon donation. In addition, you must be Aspirin-free for 48 hours prior to donating or any other medications that affect platelet function, such as Plavix, and have no allergies to citrus fruit.
If you have a medical condition that requires a doctor’s care or if you have traveled outside the United States, please call 1-800-272-2757 ext. 300, to determine if you are eligible to donate.
Where can I donate Platelets?
Donor Center
3510 Executive Parkway
Toledo , Ohio 43606
Apheresis donations are by appointment only. For more information or to schedule your donation, please call:
1-800-828-1975 ext. 275
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