| Platelets are vital to life, because they help prevent massive blood loss by helping your blood to clot. Because they are sticky cells they need to be in constant motion after they are donated or they could stick together and lose their functionality.
Platelets are donated through a special automated process called apheresis. Automation allows donors to safely donate certain components of their blood in larger amounts. During an automated donation, blood is drawn into a machine which separates the needed component from the rest of the blood. The final component is collected in a donation bag, while the rest of the blood is returned to the donor.
Shelf life: |
5 days |
Common uses: |
cancer patients, organ transplant patients |
Best blood types
to donate: |
A+, A-, B+, AB+, AB- |
Estimated
donation time: |
1 ½ – 2 ½ hours |
How often you
can donate |
up to 24 times per year. We recommend you donate once every two to four weeks. |
Eligibility: |
To be eligible you must:
- weigh at least 110 lbs.
- be in good health
- meet the minimum age requirement
- In Oregon 16-year-olds can donate with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form.
- In Washington, 16- and 17-year-olds can donate with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form.
- To obtain an American Red Cross parental consent form, please contact your blood drive coordinator or a Red Cross representative
|
If you have specific questions about your eligibility to donate blood, please contact our Donor Care and Response Center at
CanIDonate@usa.redcross.org or call 1.800.737.0902
Platelet, plasma and double red cell donations are
not available at all Red Cross operations. |
