Donor Programs - Platelet

Platelet Apheresis: You can branch out to be an extra special donor. Community Blood Bank is asking you to consider becoming an apheresis donor to help patients in area hospitals. Patients being treated for cancer, leukemia, aplastic anemia and some heart surgery patients need your help. Using apheresis products limits the patient's exposure to multiple donors. This reduces the risk of antibody problems and transfusion reactions.

Who can be a Apheresis Donor?
To qualify as an Apheresis donor, you must:

1. Have time for a one to two hour scheduled appointment, Monday through Saturday.
    
2. Weigh at least 130 pounds.
    
3. Have had a prior successful whole blood donation(preferable).
    
4. Have a good venous access - this will be determined by our staff.
    
5. If you are a platelet apheresis donor - avoid aspirin products containing aspirin and ibuprofen for 3 days before your appointment.

Platelet Donors will receive these Flannel Pajama Pants on their 12th donation in 2011.

What is an Apheresis Donor?
An Apheresis donor gives a specific blood component such as platelets, plasma, or double RBC (red blood cells) units.

Why Do Patients Need Specific Blood Components?
Patients respond to the treatment more quickly when they receive the specific blood component that best treats their condition. This is called Component Therapy. It allows a better management of the blood supply.

Platelets are essential for blood to clot normally. Some patients do not make enough platelets. Other patients lose them during surgery or have platelets that do not function properly.

Red Blood Cells (RBC) transport oxygen tot he body's tissues. Patients who have lost blood due to surgery or trauma or have severe anemia may require red blood cell transfusions.

What is Involved in Being An Apheresis Donor?
The donation process is quite simple and takes one to two hours, depending upon the procedure. The process utilizes the same size needle and is placed in the arm the same way as a regular donation. All needles, tubing and equipment are new, sterile and used only once.

Your blood is processed through a cell separator where it is separated into different components - platelets, plasma and red blood cells. The desired component is removed and the remaining blood components are returned to you, the donor.

Is Apheresis a Safe Procedure?
During the entire procedure, your donation is monitored by trained Community Blood Bank personnel. Platelets and plasma are replaced quickly - usually within 24 to 48 hours. If you donate red blood cells the length of time between donations is longer.

Now you are ready! Sit back, put your feet up, enjoy a movie or pleasant conversation while you give an important life-saving blood product!

"I donate platelets in honor of my father, he died of cancer and complication when I was 21.  What better way to honor his memory than to help those who need what I can give." - Glenn Lindemuth, 45 Gallon Pheresis Donor