Platelet Donation

What is plateletpheresis?

Blood is a mixture of red cells, white cells, plasma, platelets, water and more. Plateletpheresis (plate-let-fur-ee-sis) is a special blood donation process that utilizes special equipment, allowing you to give just one part of your blood - platelets - the cells that help stop bleeding. Platelets are needed for patients suffering from serious health problems such as leukemia, cancer, aplastic anemia, open-heart surgery and bone marrow transplants. The platelet transfusions mean the difference between life and death for those very ill individuals.

How does plateletpheresis work and how is it done?

At Delta Blood Bank we offer primarily "two arm" donations and "one-arm" donations. Donors with visible veins, type A blood, and an above average amount of platelets in their blood make the best apheresis donors. Those that are CMV antibody negative are special. With plateletpheresis, a small amount of blood is drawn from your arm into a blood cell separator. While the blood is in the separator, the platelets are carefully removed by centrifugal force and the remaining parts of your blood, the plasma, red cells and white cells, are returned to you. This is a safe and easy procedure.

How often can I donate platelets?

Your body is able to replenish its supply of platelets very quickly. Generally, a person may donate platelets as frequently as every two weeks. Most platelet pheresis donors give every 28 days.

How do I qualify for pheresis?

Eligibility is identical to whole blood donation. However, you should be free of medication, especially aspirin. You cannot have donated whole blood within the last 56 days. 

For more information on donating platelets, call (209) 943-3830 and ask for the apheresis department. To schedule an apheresis platelet appointment, please ask for the telemarketing department.