However, you should anticipate being in the Blood and Platelet Center for about one to one and a half hours. After donating you will relax at a table for about 15 minutes. You may resume normal activities. Donors are asked to eat good meals and drink plenty of fluids both before and after donating. When a patient needs a blood transfusion and is compatible with your type, your unit of blood will be prepared and transfused to that person.
Platelets help blood clot and prevent bleeding.
Patients who are deficient in platelets are prone to hemorrhage. Platelet donation helps patients with cancer or leukemia who are taking chemotherapy treatments, or with certain other diseases. Once collected, the life span of platelets is only 5 days. The UCI Blood and Platelet Center constantly needs support for platelet donations.