Platelet Apheresis
Platelets are vital to life, because they help prevent massive blood loss by helping your blood to clot. Because they are sticky cells they need to be in constant motion after they are donated or they could stick together and lose their functionality.
Platelets are donated through a special process called apheresis. Apheresis allows donors to safely donate certain components of their blood in larger amounts. During an apheresis donation, blood is drawn into a machine which separates the platelets from the rest of the blood. The platelets are collected in a donation bag, while the rest of the blood is returned to the donor. The chart below illustrates this process.
Platelets:
- Shelf life:
- 5 days
- Patients who need platelets:
- cancer patients, organ transplant patients
- Best blood type to donate:
- A+, A-, B+, AB+, AB-
- Estimated donation time:
- 1 ½ – 2 ½ hours
- How often you can donate:
- up to 24 times per year.
- To be eligible you must:
-
- be at least 17 years old
- weigh at least 110 lbs.
- be in good health
- Please remember to:
-
- Consume more calcium a few days before donation
- Not take any aspirin or products containing aspirin 48 hours before donation
Learn more about platelets
*Platelet, Plasma and Double Red Cell donations are not available at all Red Cross Operations.
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Ellen received multiple units of platelets due to Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a condition where the body attacks its platelets. She is grateful for Red Cross blood donors and volunteers.
Click here to read Ellen's story about the power of a platelet donation.