What are platelets?

Platelets are the cellular component that stops bleeding.

Who needs platelets?

Patients with cancer or leukemia, transplant patients and people with blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia, benefit from platelet transfusions. During chemotherapy and radiation treatment, both cancer cells and platelets are destroyed. Many of these patients need platelet transfusions to prevent uncontrolled bleeding.

Why donate platelets?

Your healthy platelets can help a patient whose body needs help preventing severe bleeding or bruising because his or her own platelets are weakened or destroyed.

Is it safe to donate?

The apheresis kit in the cell-separating machine is sterile and is discarded after each donation. It is impossible to get AIDS or any viral disease by donating platelets. Each donation is closely supervised by trained staff who observe the donor throughout the process. The donation does not significantly decrease the number of platelets in the donor’s body, and the donated platelets are quickly replaced. Donors experience no bleeding problems.

Platelet Donation Procedure

Platelet donations are made through a process called apheresis
(ay-fur-EE'- sis).  Blood is drawn from the donor's arm and channeled through a sterile, disposable kit housed in a special cell-separating machine. The machine spins the blood to separate the platelets, then returns the red blood cells and plasma to the donor.  The body can actually replace the amount of platelets donated in about 48 hours.

From registration to refreshments, donating platelets takes about two and a half hours. While you donate, you can relax and watch a movie, listen to music or visit with the LifeSource apheresis nursing staff.

How often can you donate platelets?

You can donate platelets every 7 days, up to 24 times a year.  If you alternate between giving platelets and donating whole blood or plasma, the waiting time varies. Ask a LifeSource staff member about these requirements or call the LifeSource Apheresis Department at
1-877-LIFESOURCE.

Platelet Donor Qualifications

The qualifications for platelet donors are similar to those for regular blood donations.  You must:

• Be at least 17 years old

• Weigh at least 110 pounds

• Be in generally good health

• Not have taken aspirin for 72 hours before donating

You are not eligible to donate platelets if you are nursing.

Becoming a Platelet Donor

If you would like to become a platelet donor, please call the LifeSource Apheresis Department at 1-877-LIFESOURCE to schedule an appointment or you may complete the on-line appointment request form.

Due to the special process involved with donating platelets, LifeSource collects platelets at the following donor centers only:

  Arlington Heights
  Crystal Lake
  Glen Ellyn
  Glenview
  Gurnee
  Hoffman Estates
  Lake Bluff
  Lake Zurich
  Lansing
  Lincoln Park
  Naperville
  Norridge
  Oak Lawn
  Skokie
  State of Illinois
  Villa Park
  Westmont