Type A donors are especially needed to become part of this important program. Platelet pheresis donors give blood as part of an automated procedure which extracts their platelets and returns the other components to the donor. A patient needing platelets can receive an entire dose from a single platelet pheresis donor, reducing exposure to multiple donors. Find out about how you can become a part of this special group of Silent Heroes!

What Are Platelets?
Platelets are a part of blood critically needed to treat people with leukemia or cancer, whose platelets are killed by disease-fighting drugs. People stricken with aplastic anemia also need platelets because their bone marrow isn't making them as it should. Without platelets, people can bleed uncontrollably. Their lives depend upon the commitment and generosity of platelet pheresis donors. More and more donors are needed as the number of patients being treated with single donor platelets grows.

How Does A Platelet Pheresis Donation Work?
During a platelet pheresis donation, the donor's blood passes through a sterile machine which separates platelets from the blood and returns to the donor his or her blood minus the platelets. This entire procedure is safe. The donor's body replaces the donated platelets within 24 - 48 hours.

Who's Eligible?
To be eligible to be a platelet pheresis donor, you should have given whole blood in the past, be in good health, be at least 17 years old and be willing to devote about 90 minutes to make your donation. Most donors pass that time watching a movie on our VCR or chatting with Red Cross staff and other donors.

Type A donors, in particular, are urged to look into the platelet pheresis program. Type A blood is the Universal Donor for platelets in much the same way as Type O blood is the Universal Donor for whole blood.

A Good Feeling
Many people enjoy the platelet pheresis program because they can help more patients with frequent donations. This is because platelet pheresis donations can be made more often than whole blood. A platelet pheresis donor can be a match to a specific patient who needs platelets that closely resemble his or her own. It is tremendously satisfying to know that a particular life is being supported as a result of a commitment of time.

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