What
are Platelets?
Platelets are are very small cellular components of blood that help
control bleeding. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets collect
at the site of the injury and temporarily repair the tear. Platelets
then activate clotting factor substances in plasma which form a
clot and allow the wound to heal.
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Who
Needs Platelets?
Many lifesaving medical treatments require platelet transfusions.
Cancer patients, those receiving organ or bone marrow transplants,
victims of traumatic injuries, and patients undergoing open heart
surgery require platelet transfusions to survive. Because platelets
can be stored for only five (5) days, the need for platelet donations
is vast and continuous. The platelet donation process is called
an Apheresis donation.
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What
is Apheresis?
Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) is a special kind of blood donation
that allows a donor to give a specific blood component, such as
platelets. During the apheresis procedure, all but the needed blood
component is returned to the donor.
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Who
can be an Apheresis Donor?
If you meet the requirements
for donating blood, you probably can give platelets. Apheresis donors
must:
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Be in good health
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Not have taken aspirin, products containing aspirin
within 48 hours prior to donation.
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Why
is Blood Separated?
Different patients need different types of blood components, depending
on their illness or injury. After you donate whole blood, the unit
is separated into platelets, red cells, and plasma in our laboratory.
Only two tablespoons of platelets are collected from a whole blood
donation. Six whole blood donations must be separated and pooled
to provide a single platelet transfusion. However, one apheresis
donation provides enough platelets for one complete transfusion...that
is six times the amount collected from a whole blood donation.
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How
Long Does it Take?
Depending on your weight, the apheresis donation process will take
approximately 60 minutes to an hour and a half. You may watch television
or videotapes, listen to music, or simply sit back and relax while
helping to save a life.
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How
Can I Become an Apheresis Donor?
Call the Community Blood Council of New Jersey Apheresis Coordinator
for more information at 609.883.9750 or call toll-free 1.866.2GIVENJ.
or email info@communitybloodcouncil.org
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