The centrifuge spins the blood so that the platelets are separated from the rest of the blood. The platelets are collected in a bag and the remainder of the blood is returned to the donor through a vein in the other arm. The entire donating process takes approximately two hours. The people who need platelets are often critically ill from diseases such as leukemia and other types of cancer, or certain blood disorders that interfere with the body's ability to produce platelets. Other recipients include those who have been in accidents or surgery, and people who need organ transplants.
Many treatments including chemotherapy and radiation therapy can destroy platelets.
Before platelet transfusions were available, uncontrolled bleeding was the number one cause of death for these patients. Platelet dosages can be extracted from whole blood donations or they can be obtained through the apheresis process. Apheresis products are the preferred treatment for people who need platelets because they are concentrated and contain a higher platelet count per unit. When the platelet recipient receives this superior product, many show signs of improvement more quickly. In order to meet the growing need for platelets for St. Joseph County residents, the number of apheresis donors must increase.