what does it mean to donate platelets

Platelets

are cells that help blood clot and support the immune system. During a platelet donation, you give up to six times the amount of platelets contained in a whole blood donation, and your fluids, plasma, and red cells are returned to your body.

Full Answer

What are the side effects of donating platelets?

Platelet donation is a little different than a regular whole blood donation. Here’s how: Platelets can only be donated at select American Red Cross Donation Centers and it requires an appointment. They cannot be given at a blood drive. Platelet donation uses a machine to extract just your platelets and then returns the rest of your blood back to you.

What are the risks of donating platelets?

Jul 19, 2017 · In the active state, the platelet grows long spider-like tentacles that bind to the vessel, cause a clot, and stop the bleeding. Donating Platelets. Platelet donations at SBC are collected through a process called apheresis blood collection, or ABC. During ABC, instead of giving one pint of whole blood (as in a regular donation), an ABC donor gives only the …

Why should I donate platelets?

Platelet Donation. Platelets are cells that help blood clot and support the immune system. During a platelet donation, you give up to six times the amount of platelets contained in a whole blood donation, and your fluids, plasma, and red cells are returned to your body.

What are the benefits of donating platelets?

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. Platelets are most often used by cancer patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. In a platelet donation, an apheresis machine collects your platelets along with some plasma, returning your red cells and most of the plasma back to you.

What are the side effects of donating platelets?

Most donors feel fine after donating blood or platelets, but a small number of people may experience an upset stomach, feel faint or dizzy, or have bruising, redness or pain where the needle was inserted. It's helpful to drink extra fluids for 48 hours following your donation.

Is donating platelets good for you?

A donation of platelets can help people who have issues related to clotting. It may also provide antibodies to help fight a disease, such as COVID-19. Giving blood can be a life saving action, but it may also have benefits for the donor.

Is it painful to donate platelets?

Does donating platelets hurt? Will it make me feel sleepy? Most people say they only feel a slight pinch of the needle at the start of the donation. Because platelet donors get their oxygen-carrying red cells back, donors report feeling less tired than after giving blood.

Is it better to donate blood or platelets?

Platelets are blood cells that help stop bleeding. And while a whole-blood donation can be broken into components, one of which is platelets, for patient usage, a unit from apheresis platelet donation can yield approximately six times the number of platelets compared to whole-blood-derived platelet donations.Dec 2, 2015

What disqualifies you from donating platelets?

What Conditions Would Make You Ineligible to Be a Donor? You will not be eligible to donate blood or platelets if you: Have tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, lived with or had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone who has hepatitis B or symptomatic hepatitis C.

What blood type is best for donating platelets?

AB positiveThe universal blood type for platelet transfusions is AB positive (AB+). One of the rarest of all blood types, only 3% of the population has this special blood type. Platelets from AB positive donors can be used for any patient in need.Apr 13, 2021

Why do they check your elbows when donating plasma?

Because arteries have higher blood pressure than veins, a puncture can lead to bleeding into the arm tissues around the puncture site. The signs of an arterial puncture include a faster blood flow and lighter-than-usual color of blood running through the tubes to the machine collecting your plasma.

How long does it take to recover from platelet donation?

It doesn't take long to recover after giving platelets as your body replaces platelets quickly, usually within 48 hours. Don't forget to book your next appointment at the welcome desk before you leave or by calling 0300 123 23 23.

How many calories do you burn donating platelets?

Burning calories. No, blood donation won't become a weight loss fad any time soon. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated.

Do platelets need to match blood type?

When considering a platelet transfusion, one must consider the ABO compatibility of the platelets themselves, as well as the accompanying plasma. Platelets, like red blood cells (RBCs), express ABO antigens, although expression is variable and strongly expressed in only 4% to 7% of individuals.Dec 4, 2020

What blood type is most needed?

Type O positive bloodType O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type, which is why it's considered the most needed blood type.

What is the best blood type to have?

Type O negative red blood cells are considered the safest to give to anyone in a life-threatening emergency or when there's a limited supply of the exact matching blood type. That's because type O negative blood cells don't have antibodies to A, B or Rh antigens.Jul 28, 2020

What are platelets used for?

Platelets, which come from the bone marrow, help to induce clotting and control bleeding. Patients who have been treated for leukemia with chemotherapy, for example, will often need to transfused with platelets. Here are a couple other fun facts about platelets: 1 Platelets are also called thrombocytes. 2 Platelets are the smallest of the blood components and can only be seen under a microscope. 3 Platelets have two states, active and non-active. Non-active platelets are shaped like small plates but when a blood vessel is damaged, the platelet receives a signal and rushes to the area to transform into its active state. In the active state, the platelet grows long spider-like tentacles that bind to the vessel, cause a clot, and stop the bleeding.

What is the smallest blood component?

Platelets are the smallest of the blood components and can only be seen under a microscope. Platelets have two states, active and non-active. Non-active platelets are shaped like small plates but when a blood vessel is damaged, the platelet receives a signal and rushes to the area to transform into its active state.

Can you donate more than one blood product?

As some of you may already know (and some of you may not!), you can actually donate more than one type of blood product. When you think about blood donation, most people probably first think of whole blood (when a person gives one pint of their blood). But another equally important type of donation is platelet donation.

What is platelet donation?

Platelet Donation. Platelets are cells that help blood clot and support the immune system. During a platelet donation, you give up to six times the amount of platelets contained in a whole blood donation, and your fluids, plasma, and red cells are returned to your body. Not only do platelet donors provide more of the life-saving platelets patients ...

How long does it take to donate platelets?

From check-in to cookies, platelet donation typically takes 1.5–2 hours. Depending on the donor, a triple platelet donation takes about 10–30 minutes longer than a double, and 30–50 minutes longer than a single. During your donation, you can use the internet, watch TV, or simply relax. Your donor specialist will monitor you throughout your donation.

How often can you donate platelets?

Platelets can be donated every 7 days, as long as eligibility criteria are met. Your body makes new platelets in 24 hours, making it possible to donate frequently—up to 24 times per year. Three days after each platelet donation, you also can return to donate whole blood or double red cells.

How long do platelets last?

Donated platelets have a shelf-life of 7 days. Platelet donors are constantly needed, especially on weekends and during holidays, to keep the supply stable. You can donate platelets at our Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and St. Paul donor centers.

How long does it take to donate platelets?

Time it takes: About 2.5-3 hours. Ideal blood types: A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive and AB negative. Donation frequency: Every 7 days, up ...

What is plasma donation?

Plasma Donation. During an AB Elite donation, you give plasma, a part of your blood used to treat patients in emergency situations. AB plasma can be given to anyone regardless of their blood type.

What is the most flexible type of donation?

Whole blood is the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets. Learn more about whole blood donations.

What is power red donation?

During a Power Red donation, you give a concentrated dose of red cells, the part of your blood used every day for those needing transfusions as part of their care. This type of donation uses an automated process that separates your red blood cells from the other blood components, and then safely and comfortably returns your plasma ...

How many different blood types are there?

There are actually more than 8 different blood types, some of which are not compatible with each other. Find out how your blood type can help hospital patients in need of a transfusion.

What is platelet donation?

Platelet donation (plateletpheresis) During plateletpheresis, only platelets are collected. Platelets help blood to clot and are commonly given to people with cancer or scheduled for major surgery. To donate platelets, you must meet all of the requirements for whole blood donation, and also: Have donated whole blood at Mayo Clinic ...

What is double red cell donation?

Double red cell donation. During double red cell donation, two units of red cells are collected. Red cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Red cells are typically given to people with sickle cell anemia or significant blood loss due to trauma or surgery.

How often can you donate blood?

You may donate platelets as often as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period. Platelets from a whole blood donation or apheresis are good for only five days.

What is plasmapheresis used for?

Plasma is commonly given to people in emergency and trauma situations to help stop bleeding. To donate plasma, you must meet all of the requirements for whole blood donation.

What is platelet clotting?

Platelets are cells that assist in normal blood clotting. You need appropriate blood clotting when you cut your self or damage your body, in order to stop bleeding. They are made from cells in the bone marrow. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can inhibit the production of platelets in the bone marrow.

How long can platelets be stored?

What is shocking, is that platelets can be stored for only 5 days. So the need for them is great and continuous. Those who donate may only have time to donate whole blood which only takes about an hour. To donate platelets you need to allow for the procedure to take about 3 hours.