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Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis), also pronounced pheresis, donors are extra special volunteers. They are the people who sit in the comfy “reclining” chairs in the Tacoma and Puyallup offices. These donors come in as often as every two weeks; they stay longer, and provide life-saving platelets. Platelets are provided to patients (adults and babies) who are recovering from cancer, heart surgeries, severe burns and other long term illnesses. Last year, over 3,000 units were needed to meet the needs of patients who received platelets.
If you meet the requirements for donating blood, you probably can give platelets. Apheresis donors must:
- Be at least 18 years old and in good health
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Not have taken aspirin or products containing aspirin 48 hours prior to donation
- Not have taken ibuprofen or products containing ibuprofen 72 hours prior to donation
- Appointment required
- A small percentage of your total platelets are collected at one-time; your body will replace the platelets you donated in about 72 hours
- Supplies are sterile and used just one time, then properly disposed
- Takes about twice as long as regular whole-blood donation
- Watch TV or videos, listen to music, read or relax during procedure
- Blood travels from your arm through sterile tubing into centrifuge
- Centrifuge spins blood to separate components, which can vary in weight and density
- Platelets are drawn up through a port into a collection bag
- The remaining blood components (red cells and plasma) return to you
Patients may need different blood components. Someone who is hemorrhaging may need platelets to help control bleeding and temporarily repair blood vessel damage. People being treated for cancer often need platelets because they cannot produce enough of these blood cells. Burn victims may need plasma to help replace blood volume and restore delivery of blood cells, nutrients, enzymes and hormones throughout the body.
Six times more platelets can be collected at one time through the Apheresis than through whole-blood donation. The average whole-blood donation provides just 2 tablespoons of platelets, so platelets from multiple whole-blood donations must be “pooled” to get enough for one platelet transfusion. In contrast, one Apheresis donation yields enough platelets to make an entire platelet transfusion. Because platelets last only 5 days, continual and abundant donations are needed to keep up with demand.
Call Cascade Regional Blood Services for more information or to make an appointment (253) 383-2553.
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