Why do cancer patients need platelets?   Platelets are blood cells that help control bleeding. Some cancer treatments can cause a loss of platelets. When this happens, patients need transfusions to regain an adequate supply of platelets in their blood.

Bone marrow transplant patients in particular may require many platelet transfusions. Since the need for platelets is great, it is important to ask family members and friends if they can donate.

Is there a special procedure for donating platelets for pediatric patients?   Yes. Parents and family members of pediatric patients must follow the same procedure as the general population for donating blood and platelets, as required by U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, you should tell the Blood Bank personnel if you are a parent donating platelets for a pediatric patient.

When are donated platelets available for patients?   Platelets will be available for transfusion the next day.

Do I have to be the same blood type as the patient for whom I'm donating?  No, similar blood type is not a critical factor in the use of donated platelets.

What is the difference between single donor and random donor platelets?   Single donor platelets are those collected from one person. Because the volume may be very large, the doctor may order the platelets to be concentrated into a small volume.

Random donor platelets are those collected from more than one person and "pooled" together into one bag.

Patients who have received may platelet transfusions, or whose platelet count does not rise after transfusion, may benefit more from single donor platelets. However, random donor platelets will be used if no single donor platelets are available.

What happens to the platelets I donate if they are not used by the patient for whom I'm donating?   If not used by the patient before 6 p.m. the day after you donate, your donated platelets will be placed in the general inventory for use by other needy patients.

Is there a special process for donating platelets?   Yes, it is called "apheresis." During this process, blood is drawn from the donor and passed through a separator. This machine skims off and saves the platelets while the other blood cells are returned to the donor's body. Apheresis takes about 2 1/2 hours to complete.

Please do not give blood or platelets if you have had:

- a recent vaccinatior are on certain medications - however, many are fine, so please check with the staff at
  the Blood Bank;
- psoriasis treated with Tegison;
- dental work in the past 24 hours;
- unexplained weight loss;
- diarrhea in the past 10 days;
- recurring fever or night sweats for more than 10 days;
- persistent swelling of glands in your neck, groin, or under your arms for more than one
  month.