Platelet Donors: A New Generation of Blood Donors

Apheresis is a special type of blood donation that allows for the collection of a specific blood part, or component, such as platelets. Platelets aid in the clotting process to prevent or stop bleeding.  Most common uses are to support patients who have undergone bone marrow transplant, patients who have undergone chemotherapy for leukemia or other cancers, or those individuals who have experienced acute trauma due to car accidents or other unexpected incidents that result in severe , life threatening physical damage.

Hoxworth needs 40 platelet donors each day to keep up with the needs of our area hospitals.
 
Due to recent medical advances in the treatment of cancer and other conditions, the demand for platelets is growing dramatically.  With one apheresis donation, the amount of platelets collected is four to six times more than platelets manufactured from a regular blood donation.

Hoxworth uses the Trima® Accel™ Collection System for our apheresis platelet, plasma and red cell donations.

Why are platelets important?

Platelets aid in the clotting process to prevent or stop bleeding and provide supportive treatment for patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or leukemia or replace depleted platelet levels due to severe or chronic bleeding seen in other life-threatening conditions.

Because platelets are used to treat numerous serious health problems, they can often mean the difference between life and death.

Normally, platelets from four to six whole blood donations are required to achieve a therapeutic benefit from a single transfusion.  Because healthy people have an abundance of platelets, the harvesting of platelets via apheresis methods yields enough platelets in a single donation to achieve a therapeutic transfusion without risk to the donor.

Unlike red blood cells, which may be transfused up to 42 days after donation, platelets must be transfused within five days. That's why platelet donors are so important.  Current usage literally takes each platelet product we can collect.  When you donate platelets, you know there is always a patient waiting to receive your gift.


To make an appointment to donate platelets at one of our Neighborhood Donor Centers, please call our appointment center at (513) 451-0910.

For more information or to schedule a platelet drive please contact: Deborah Norris at (513) 451-0910. 

Updated 12/10/10