Platelet Donation

Help Save Lives Through Platelet Donation

Platelet Donation

Blood is called the river of life for human. It has four components that are plasma, platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. Platelets control bleeding and blood clotting, which may result to serious problems. Some cancer patients lose their platelets because of medications and treatments. Platelet transfusion allows these patients to get the number of platelets they need for normal blood flow and function. People who want to help these patients can donate platelets from their own blood. You can have your platelet donation collected on some Red Cross centers.

Platelet donation is faster and easier because a machine is used to separate the platelets from the other components of the blood and bring back the rest of the blood components on your body. If you’re having a platelet donation, do not take any products containing aspirin within 72 hours before the donation. Avoid anti-inflammatory medicines as well prior to the collection of your platelets. Eat your regular meal and have plenty of rest the day before the donation. Drink plenty of liquid and eat foods rich in calcium to prepare in donating your platelets. If you qualify for donating platelets, this means that you can also donate blood. You can do this after 72 hours of donating platelets, or if you donated blood, you may donate platelets after 72 hours of donating blood. Your platelets will help save many lives especially some patients need daily platelets transfusion to prevent life threatening condition caused by low platelets count. Donating platelets can be done several times, which is up to 24 times a year. Either one arm or both of your arms will be used for collecting platelets. The whole process will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

Help save lives through platelet donation.  Encourage your friends, family and co-workers to do the same. The more platelet donors, the more lives will be saved.