PLATELET DONORS ARE REAL "LIFE" HEROES!

One Platelet Pheresis Donation Provides as Many Platelets as Six to Eight Whole Blood Donations



Advanced medical technology has made it possible to treat patients with blood diseases and other illnesses by using blood and its components. Pheresis (fuh-REE-sis) is a unique type of blood donation that makes it possible to collect a single blood component, platelets.
Click here to view the Garden State Lifesavers Platelet Club website.
WHY ARE PLATELETS SO IMPORTANT?

Platelets are tiny cells that help blood to clot. The growing success of chemotherapy as a weapon against cancer means more and more patients require platelets as part of their medical treatment. Diseases such as leukemia that were once 100% fatal are now being treated and often cured by a combination of modern medicine, surgery and repeated transfusions of normal blood cells.

Pheresis (fuh-REE-sis) Facts

  • One pheresis donation provides as many platelets as six to eight whole blood donations.


  • Pheresis donors must meet the same medical criteria as whole blood donors and must have a suitable venous access in their arm.


  • Pheresis donors can donate more often because the body replaces platelets within 24 hours.


  • Platelet donors can donate whole blood 15 days after making a pheresis donation.


HOW IS PHERESIS DONE?

During a pheresis donation, blood is drawn from one arm and passed through a cell separator carefully removing the platelets and returning the red cells and plasma to the donor through the other arm. Less than one pint of blood is out of the donor at any one time.

Each donation is collected in a prepackaged, sterile and disposable kit. This is considered a closed system which means no blood comes in contact with the actual machine. YOU CANNOT GET AIDS THROUGH A PHERESIS DONATION OR WHOLE BLOOD DONATION.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The actual pheresis procedure takes about 1 1/2 hours, but you should plan on being at the Blood Center for 2 hours. This includes registration, medical history interview, mini physical and refreshments afterwards. Many donors choose to enjoy a movie from the Blood Center's extensive video library!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Pheresis donors must meet the same medical criteria as whole blood donors and must have a suitable vein in each arm. It is very important not to take aspirin or aspirin containing products for two days prior to being a platelet pheresis donor. Please refrain from taking Ginko for five days prior to a platelet donation.

HOW OFTEN CAN I DONATE?

Pheresis donations can be made up to 24 times a year. A pheresis donor can give more often than a whole blood donor because the body replaces platelets withing 24 hours.

WHAT ABOUT WHOLE BLOOD DONATIONS?

You can donate whole blood three days after making a pheresis donation. After giving whole blood, you must wait eight weeks before donating platelet pheresis.

ARE APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY?

Pheresis procedures are scheduled by appointment to help specific patients who need specific components. It is very important to notify the Blood Center as soon as possible if you are unable to keep your appointment. That way, another donor may be scheduled to fill your appointment time. (While appointments are preferred, we are usually able to accommodate donors on short notice.) Please call 732-842-5750 ext. 263 to schedule an appointment or send your appointment request to appt@cjbcblood.org.