What are platelets?
Platelets are the clotting factor in blood. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets collect at the site of the injury and temporarily repair the tear. Platelets then activate substances in plasma which form a clot and allow the wound to heal.
What is apheresis?
Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) is a special type of blood donation that allows for the collection of a specific blood part, or component, such as platelets. Whole blood drawn from your arm enters an instrument called a cell separator. Inside the blood cell separator, platelets are carefully removed by a spinning process. The blood platelets are then collected into a sterile plastic bag, while the remainder of the blood (red blood cells and plasma) is returned to you through a tube and needle into your arm.
Why are platelets important?
Platelets are used in treating numerous serious health problems such as leukemia, cancer, aplastic anemia or those who require bone marrow or other organ transplants. They can often mean the difference between life and death. Due to recent advances in the treatment of these serious illnesses, the demand for platelets is growing dramatically. Whole blood donations alone can no longer meet current needs.
Normally platelets from six to eight whole blood donations are required to achieve a single transfusion. Because healthy people have an abundance of platelets, the apheresis procedure collects enough platelets in a single donation to provide a transfusion.
Unlike red blood cells, which may last up to 42 days after donation, platelets can only be stored for five days. That's why platelet donors are so important. When you give platelets, you know there is a patient with a very serious health problem waiting to receive your donation immediately.
How long does the donation take?
The entire process of donating platelets, from registration to refreshments, takes about two hours. The procedure is longer than a regular whole blood donation, because it takes more time to separate and collect the platelets from the other components in your blood.
How often can I donate platelets?
Because the body easily replenishes platelets and healthy individuals usually have an abundance of them, platelets can be donated every two weeks, up to 24 times a year!
Where can I donate platelets?
Platelet donations can be made at most Red Cross blood donor centers throughout the region. Donor centers where people can give platelets are located in Albany, Alpharetta, Athens, Atlanta (Midtown), Atlanta (Sandy Springs), Columbus, Duluth, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Stockbridge, Savannah and Valdosta. To donate platelets, you must have an appointment.
To make an appointment to donate platelets, please call
1-800-GIVE-LIFE and select option 2. | 
