Platelet Donations

What are platelets?

Platelets are colorless, tiny cell fragments that help stop bleeding. Platelets help prevent blood loss and blood vessel leakage.

More information about Platelet Donations
Download Platelets Data Sheet
Download Platelet Apheresis Fact Sheet
Download Blood Bulletin
Download Amicus - Platelet Brochure

Who needs platelets?

A lack of platelets can result in symptoms ranging from bruises on the skin and nose bleeds to brain hemorrhages.

Patients suffering from cancer, leukemia, aplastic anemia, and bypass surgery benefit most from platelet transfusions. Cancer patients often need platelet transfusions because chemotherapy and/or radiation damages their own body's ability to make platelets. Without platelets, patients would continue to bleed and would not be able to receive treatment.

Daniel Tomczak, a dedicated apheresis donor at the Buffalo site.

• Leukemia patients may require 2 to 6 units of red cells and 1 transfusion of platelets daily, for 2 to 4 weeks.
• Bone Marrow patients may need 1 to 2 units of red cells every other day, for 2 to 4 weeks and 1 to 2 transfusions of platelets daily, for 4 to 6 weeks.
• Liver Transplant patients may need 6 to 10 units of red cells, 20 units of plasma, and 1 platelet transfusion.
• Open Heart Surgery (Adult) patients may need 2 to 4 units of plasma, 1 to 2 platelet transfusions, and 2 to 6 units of red cells.
• Open Heart Surgery (Newborn) patients may need 1 to 4 units of red cells, 1 to 2 units of plasma, and 1 to 3 platelet transfusions.

Platelet donor and founder of Melissa's Living Legacy, Lauren Spiker often gives two platelet doses with a single donation.

Who can be a platelets donor?

Almost anyone can be a platelet donor. The qualifications are the same as whole blood. In addition, you must be free of any medication containing aspirin for 3 full days prior to a platelet donation.

Platelet Splitting: The latest technology allows apheresis platelet donors to give up to three patient doses of platelets. This is called platelet splitting. One - triple platelet donation can take the place of up to 15 whole blood donations. (The American Red Cross can notify you if you meet the necessary criteria to donate more than one dose of platelets.)

How often can you donate platelets?

Platelets must be transfused within five days of donation - so the need is constant. After a platelet donation, you can donate more platelets after only 3 days - up to 24 times a year. (Donate by appointment only) If you'd like to be one of these very special donors, call us at 1-800-545-4086, or e-mail us at apheresisdonor@usa.redcross.org .