Just giving two to three times a year would be sufficient. However, my commitment is more than just as a public official. As a breast cancer survivor, I understand the need for blood donations. Platelet donations are important for cancer patients, organ donor patients and patients with blood diseases. Platelets help the clotting process by sticking to the inner lining of the blood vessels and preventing massive blood loss.
Blood is composed of red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
While the process feels similar to a regular blood donation, it takes 90 minutes. The advantage of this process is that a platelet donation contains six to 10 times the amount of platelets as a whole blood donation. Therefore, more platelet donors are always needed. Gelacio Rodriguez understands the need for platelet donations. Rodriguez is 32-year old firefighter who lost his father and brother to leukemia.