Platelets are an important blood product we collect at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Here are some facts about Platelets and Platelet donation you may not have known.
What Are Platelets?
Platelets, which are not cells but fragments of giant cells called megakaryocytes. They are tiny, colorless, disc-shaped particles circulating in blood that help control bleeding and bruising.
Where Do Platelets Come From?
Platelets grow in bone marrow. They activate a substance in plasma, which forms clots and helps wounds to heal.
Why Are Platelets Important?
Since platelets help control bleeding, they are very important for heart surgery patients, burn victims, organ transplant patients, bone marrow transplant patients, accident victims, premature babies, and especially cancer patients.
Who Can Donate Platelets?
All blood types are eligible to donate platelets. Donors who have been pregnant or had a blood transfusion must be tested
for antibodies against the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) prior to donating platelets.
How Often Can You Donate Platelets?
You can donate platelets every 8 days or up to 24 times per year.
Why We Need Platelet Donors
Platelets have the shortest shelf life of all blood components, lasting only 7 days after donation.
That means they are in constant demand for life-saving treatments.
Becoming a Platelet Donor
We need your help. More importantly, many others need your life-saving Platelets.
If you’ve received blood products you are still eligible to donate platelets as long as you test negative for antibodies
against the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). HLA antibodies pose absolutely no risk to you, however, HLA antibodies
in donated platelets or plasma blood products may be dangerous to transfusion recipients.
Donors are asked to wait or avoid taking aspirin 48 hours prior to donating platelets
as this could prevent the platelets from functioning properly when transfused.
Getting Started Is Easy
The process takes about 80 minutes.
Simply schedule your appointment at GiveaPint.org or call 1-800-223-6667
and be sure to mention you are scheduling your appointment as a platelet donor.
All About Platelets
Learn more about platelet donations and platelets from our video library below.