Most patients undergoing a bone marrow transplant, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment or organ transplant need platelets in order to survive. In fact, doctors are finding that platelets play a vital role in more and more new therapies.

     Blood cell separators collect enough platelets for a transfusion from a single donor. Using a technique called apheresis, blood is drawn from the donor's vein into an apheresis instrument, which separates the blood into separate portions by centrifugation. By appropriately adjusting the instrument, a selected portion of the blood, such as the platelets, can be recovered, while the rest of the blood is returned to the donor into a vein in the other arm.
     This process takes more time than whole blood donation, but the percentage of platelets is much greater. It is a simple, safe process - very much like regular blood donation. In fact, your body starts replenishing platelets immediately after your donation. Within 48 hours, your body's platelets should be completely replenished.

     During a platelet apheresis donation, blood is drawn from one arm and passed through a seperating machine which collects the platelets and returns the remaining blood components to the donor through the other arm. The blood is passed through a sterile, disposable kit that is used once and discarded. This procedure allows the collection of 6 to 10 times more platelets than would be collected through one whole blood donation.

     Blood is made of four components: platelets, plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells. The platelet component is necessary to control bleeding. Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, for example, are unable to produce enough platelets. Without platelet transfusion, life-threatening hemorrhages could result.

     By using a special method called apheresis (ay-fer-ee-sis), whole blood is separated into components, and the platelets are removed. Specially trained Red Cross staff conduct the procedure while you relax, watch TV or read. The entire process takes about two hours.

     You can continue to give whole blood in addition to platelets. The same good health requirements for a whole blood donor apply to platelet donors. And, just like whole blood donation, donating platelets is safe. In accordance with our commitment to insure the highest level of safety, all needles and containers are sterile, used only once, and then carefully discarded. Because platelets are quickly replenished by your body, you can donate platelets as frequently as every 48 hours, but no more than 24 times a year. Additional restrictions vary, however, depending on the donation center, type of procedure used, and your donation history.

     Simply call 1-800-GIVELIFE to schedule a platelet apheresis donation. A Red Cross representative will help you schedule a convenient donation appointment. On behalf of the patients whose lives you will save, we thank you.

     If you are local to the Connecticut Region, you can contact Judy Hughes at American Red Cross Blood Services (203) 678-2749. They are located at 209 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06032.