For example, Corish noted that many of the Medical Center s cancer patients need platelets the cells that help stop bleeding. One problem is that when platelets are taken from whole blood donations, it takes between five and 10 units to collect enough platelets for a single dose. Seriously ill patients use a tremendous number of platelets. That s where apheresis donation comes in. Apheresis is a special kind of blood donation that lets you give just one part of your blood, like platelets.
Whole blood is drawn and spun through a machine to remove the platelets.
The rest of the blood is returned to the donor. A single donation removes fewer than 5 percent of your platelets, which your body quickly replaces. The entire process, from giving your medical history to having a post-donation snack, takes about two hours. The new apheresis center in room 267 of the Main Hospital is equipped with television and a VCR, so you can watch your favorite soap opera, a movie, or an episode of the prime time line-up you might have missed while you donate. For more information about apheresis donation, call the center at 792-3340.