Close to 10 million people in the U.S. are blood donors, but only a fraction of those donate platelets.
"I always donate platelets because it's a harder component to get," said
Kimberly Martinez, who works at University Hospital but is also a platelet donor. "Platelets are the only part of the blood that we have to have a continuous supply of fresh platelets for our patients."
She realizes one of the reasons there aren't as many platelet donors as blood donors could be the time it takes to donate. "From start to finish it's about a two hour process from filling out the paperwork to donating," Martinez said.
"If you are willing to, and you are able to sit in a chair a little bit longer, then we would love to collect either single or double platelets from our donors," said
Stephanie Whitehead, who is the Executive Director of Pathology Services at University Health System. She told us they constantly need a fresh supply of platelets. "We use both blood and platelets during trauma being a level one adult and pediatric trauma center," she said.
One drop of your blood contains as many as 4,000,000 platelets. They are essential for stopping bleeding and helping blood to clot. Platelet transfusions can help patients with some blood diseases and cancers. Platelets have a limited shelf life of seven days, so it is harder to maintain a steady supply.
When you give platelets you donate through a process called 'plateletpheresis'. An apheresis machine separates out your blood, storing the platelets and returning the red cells and plasma back to you.
Martinez says if you've got the time, come in and save lives. You'll even get a few things in return. "When I leave, I get refreshments I get a cookie I get juice and I get a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart," she said.
For more information about donating platelets, incentives offered, and University Hospital blood drives check out their website. You can also call 210 358-2812.
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