The platelets that Moyer collects will go to children and adults who have life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, cancer, and other diseases of the blood. Because of bone marrow malfunction or chemotherapy treatment, their bodies are unable to produce platelets and their blood will not clot. According to Moyer, the blood of platelet donors is processed through an apheresis machine that extracts only the platelets needed and returns the rest of the blood and platelets to the donor. The process uses sterile, single-use, disposable tubing, cell bags, and separation units, so blood cells and fluids never touch the inside of any machine. There is no risk of contracting a blood-transmitted disease.
Donors are often surprised that the color of platelets is a yellowish cream.
Moyer calls them liquid gold. There is nothing synthetic we can give them. Moyer estimates that about 500 people come to the center each year to donate platelets, while a much larger number donate whole blood. They are saving two people's lives today. This story originally appeared in the Winter 2001 issue of The Viking , a publication for alumni and other friends of Mercer County Community College.