![]() ![]() Recently, it has been discovered that women who have previously been pregnant are more likely to carry antibodies that are believed to sometimes cause post-transfusion complications for blood and platelet recipients.As long as you meet the minimum requirements for donating whole blood you may be able to donate platelets. ![]() Eligibility requirements for platelet donation are the same as a whole blood donation.When donating, bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of ID.You can also find more information about travel and medication restrictions. Please review our eligibility requirements as some states require parental consent.At age 16-17 depending on state, individuals in generally good health who meet weight and height requirements may become eligible to donate platelets.Read more about eligibility requirements including travel and medication restrictions.You may donate platelets every seven days, up to 24 times a year.You should consume plenty of calcium-rich foods and beverages for a few days prior to your donation.Get a good night's rest prior to your donation.Plan to be in the donation chair for about three hours to ensure a full donation.For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday. Do not take aspirin products for at least 2 full calendar days prior to your appointment.Please bring your Red Cross donor card or photo I.D.Answer questions and handle most of the paperwork before you show up. RapidPass ® can speed up your appointment by letting you start the blood donation process no matter where you are by using your mobile device or a desktop computer.Schedule online, through the free Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. You need an appointment to donate platelets.Because platelets must be used within five days, new donors are needed every day.Platelets give strength to patients with blood disorders and those with transplants. Platelets transfusions go a long way to help keep these patients going and live more active, healthy lives.Platelets keep them alive while they recover. Platelets also help patients survive major surgeries or serious injuries. After major surgery or serious injury, patients may need platelets to replace those lost during bleeding.Without a platelet transfusion cancer patients face life-threatening bleeding because platelets help blood to clot. Platelets give cancer patients the strength they need to keep fighting. While cancer patients undergo treatment, a major side effect is low platelet count.About 2 million units of platelets are transfused each year in the U.S.On average, platelets are transfused within 3 days of donation. After your platelet donation, they are immediately tested and prepared for delivery to a hospital.Platelets are in constant demand by hospitals.A single donation of platelets often constitutes several transfusable platelet units. Meanwhile, the rest of your blood – the plasma, red cells and white cells – is returned to you.These cells then go into a sterile, single-use plastic bag.This blood is rapidly spun, which forces the platelets to separate from the other blood components.A relatively small amount of blood is drawn from your arm and goes into a machine called a blood cell separator.Here’s a quick illustration of what happens during a platelet donation:.You may be able to donate platelets up to 24 times a year compared to a maximum of 6 times a year for a whole blood donation.In fact, some platelet donations yield enough platelets for two or three patients. You will be able to provide in one platelet donation what would normally be collected from up to five whole blood donations.This is because blood is drawn from one arm then the platelets are extracted using a machine, and the remaining blood components are returned to you through the other arm. Both arms are used during a platelet donation.From start to finish, it takes about three hours to donate platelets.Platelet donation uses a machine to extract just your platelets and then returns the rest of your blood back to you.Platelets can only be donated at select American Red Cross Donation Centers and it requires an appointment.Platelet donation is a little different than a regular whole blood donation. ![]()
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