Platelet Pheresis

In 1999, more 6.1 million units of whole blood were collected from over 4 million donors throughout the United States, making the Red Cross the nation’s single largest blood supplier. In Adams County alone, the Red Cross collected more than 7800 units this year. Since each unit of blood can provide life-giving blood products to 3 or 4 patients, Adams County blood donors gave the ‘gift of life’ to more than 20,000 people last year!

What is Pheresis?

With the advent of new technology and recent advances in cancer research, it is now possible to more effectively target this ‘gift of life’ in the fight against cancer - one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Through a process called platelet pheresis, blood is drawn from one arm, processed through a sophisticated, computer-controlled centrifuge to spin off or extract "platelets", then the plasma, white blood cells and red blood cells are returned to the donor through the other arm. The process takes approximately two hours and removes only platelets and a little plasma.

Why do we collect platelets?

The primary function of platelets in the body is to control bleeding. Transfused platelets are vital to many cancer patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy often interferes with the body’s ability to make platelets whose primary role is to help stop bleeding.

Does this affect my ability to give whole blood?

Since less body fluid is removed than during whole blood donation and platelets regenerate in as little as 3 days, platelet pheresis donation does not affect whole blood donation schedules. In addition, platelets are such a high value product that each pheresis donation is counted as a double donation toward your next gallon. As a result, by donating whole blood one month and donating platelets the next month, the typical blood donor can literally triple their annual donation rate, thus multiplying the "gift of life".

What are the criteria for donating platelets?

The criteria for donating platelets are the same as the criteria for donating whole blood (at least 17 years of age, at least 110 pounds and in good health) with one additional restriction – a platelet donor can not take aspirin within 36 hours prior to the donation.

Can I participate in pheresis locally?

Until recently, platelet pheresis collection has been confined primarily to hospitals and specially designed collection centers. In recent months, however, selected blood donors from the local Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross have been participating in a special pilot program that has been testing the feasibility of mobile pheresis collection. Following several months of successful collections at the Adams County chapter building under the pilot program, we are ready to expand this exciting new opportunity to give the "gift of life". Adams County pheresis collection is scheduled for the following dates during the remainder of the year 2000 (please call the chapter at 222-2477 to reserve your time slot):

Dates:          Time slots:

May 22^nd       10:00, 10:30, 12:30, 1:00, 3:00, 3:30

Jun 25^th       11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00, 4:00, 4:30
Jun 26^th        8:30, 9:00, 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00

July 23rd       11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00, 4:00, 4:30
July 24^th        8:30, 9:00, 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00

Aug 27^th 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00, 4:00, 4:30
Aug 28^th 8:30, 9:00, 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00

Sep 24^th 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00, 4:00, 4:30
Sep 25^th 8:30, 9:00, 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00

Oct 22^nd 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00, 4:00, 4:30
Oct 23rd 8:30, 9:00, 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00

Nov 26^th 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00, 4:00, 4:30
Nov 27^th 8:30, 9:00, 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00

Dec 24^th 11:00, 11:30, 1:30, 2:00

For more information, please contact the Adams County Chapter
American Red Cross