Did you know that many people undergoing chemotherapy receive platelet transfusions?
Platelet Donation
Platelet Apheresis is a special kind of blood donation that allows whole blood to be withdrawn from a donor and separated into its component parts (red cells, platelets, and plasma) with all but the platelets being returned to the donor. The platelets are then made available to patients and transfused within five days.
Your body is able to replenish its supply of platelets very quickly, allowing you to donate platelets are frequently as every 7 days, but no more than 24 times a year.
What are Platelets?
Platelets are parts of blood that help prevent bleeding by allowing clots to form and wounds to heal. Patients need platelets for many different procedures, including heart surgery, burn treatments, bone marrow transplants, organ transplant surgeries, cancer, aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, and other serious illnesses.
A world renowned facility, MGH constantly increases its practices in cancer treatment and transplant surgery. As these two fields grow, the need for lifesaving platelet donations also increases.
Please allow two hours for the entire process, and expect your donation to take 90 to 100 minutes. During the process, platelet donors often watch TV, a DVD movie, surf the internet, play games and listen to music. Donors can also enjoy relaxing or reading a book.
Platelet Donations are taken only on the MGH Campus, at the MGH Blood Donor Center in the Gray 1 Lobby. Platelet donors have extra eligibility guidelines.
If possible, platelet donors should make an appointment prior to coming in to donate platelets. For more information, or to make an appointment please call MGH Marketing Specialist Mary Kate Callaway at 617-726-8171.
The MGH Blood Donor Center is also open for platelet donation one Saturday a month. For more information about our Saturday platelet donation schedule, please contact Mary Kate Callaway.
2013 Platelet Saturdays
- January 5
- February 16
- March 16
- April 20
- May 18
- June 22
- July 20
- August 17
- September 21
- October 5
- November 16
- December 14
