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Tap into your platelet power this summer. Donate platelets four times from June 1 - September 30 and you’ll take home your choice of a $50 Visa, Lowe’s or Ruby Tuesday gift card. Not to mention, you'll also get a cool, aluminum water bottle upon your first donation. “Why donate?” you might ask. See below to learn more about platelets and why you're needed.
What are platelets?
Platelets may be the tiniest component in whole blood but that doesn’t mean they aren’t powerful! Platelets prevent massive blood-loss resulting from trauma, along with common blood vessel leakage that occurs in the course of day-to-day activity. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets gather at the site of the injury and temporarily repair the tear; they then activate substances in plasma which form a clot and allow the wound to heal.
Why am I needed?
With a shelf life of only five days, platelets are a precious lifesaving component. Each day, hundreds of local patients require platelet transfusions to support them through treatments for cancer, burns, traumatic injuries and other life-threatening conditions. Platelets are also used in large quantities, and for extended periods of time, by leukemia, cancer and bone marrow transplant patients. Volunteer platelet donors are the only ones who can ensure these patients have what they need, when they need it.
What is the donation process like?
Using a special donation process called apheresis, we can collect enough platelets for one or more transfusions from a single donor. Whole blood is collected into a machine that separates the platelets before returning the red cells and other components to the donor. The process takes about 70 minutes to two hours, but you’ll leave feeling good...and good about yourself!
What are the donation requirements?
The same criteria as whole blood donors applies, plus you must:
- be at least 16 years old with parental consent (download form here)
- weigh at least 110 pounds
- refrain from taking aspirin, aspirin-sontaining products, or Feldene (piroxicam)
Who should I contact if I want to learn more?
Platelet donations can currently be made at our Tallahassee and Thomasville donor centers. If you're interested in learning more about the process, including time commitments, donation requirements and appointment scheduling, please dial one of the following numbers:
Tallahassee - Roxanne Parrish, 850-702-0433 (direct); main line 850-877-7181
Thomasville - 229-228-9980
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