Apheresis: A special commitment

From the Greek word meaning to "take away", platelet apheresis means to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood cells. Community Blood Bank apheresis donors are very special indeed.

What is apheresis?

Apheresis donation involves the use of highly specialized machines that separate your platelets from the rest of your blood cells. Since platelets are much smaller than most blood cells, these machines must do an incredible amount of work to obtain a full dose of platelets. Your blood is drawn into the machine and centrifuged. Your red cells and plasma are returned to your body, and only your healthy platelets are retained.

How often can I donate platelets?

Platelet donors may donate more frequently than whole blood donors because there is only a minimal loss of red blood cells. For this reason and because a unit of platelets is only good for 5 days, it is permissible for platelet donors to donate as often as every 3 days. However, unless it is absolutely necessary, the Community Blood Bank will not call on an individual more than once a week. Routine appointments are every 3 to 4 weeks.

Who receives platelets?

People with blood disorders, especially leukemia, suffer from both their disease and its treatment. Drugs and radiation used to kill cancer cells cannot differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, and so they destroy all blood cells. As a result, the patient may bleed from a lack of platelets or have difficulty fighting infection. Transfusions of platelets from healthy donors like you can help control the bleeding in these patients until their system resumes normal cell production. Each unit of whole blood contains only about two tablespoons of platelet concentrate. Through apheresis, a donor can safely give enough platelets to equal six to ten regular whole blood donations.

How long does an apheresis donation take?

An average apheresis donation can take approximately two hours, as opposed to 20 to 30 minutes for a whole blood donation. This is because it takes several cycles on an apheresis machine to accumulate a full dose of platelets.

Is apheresis donation safe?

Yes! The kit for apheresis is sterile, disposable and completely self-contained. A special network of tubes is hooked to the machine and the blood only travels through these tubes and never actually comes in contact with the machine. Just as with a whole blood donation, a sterile needle is used just once and then discarded. You cannot get AIDS or any other disease by donating blood or platelets.