LYNCHBURG PLATELETPHERESIS TEAM
American Red Cross
1900 Tate Springs Rd., Suite 106
Lynchburg, VA 24501
(804) 846-4620
What are Platelets?
Platelets are the disklike structures that develop from cells
produced inthe marrow. They help prevent the loss of blood from
damaged vessels. If a small blood vessel is cut or broken,
platelets stick to the damaged surface
and to one another. As they pile up, they form a temporary seal
over the injury. At the same time, the platelets release
substances that start the process of blood clotting. A blood clot
forms a more solid plug and
prevents additional loss of blood. Platelets are the smallest of
the formed elements. A microliter of blood contains from 150,000
to 400,00 platelets. A person with too few platelets, or who's
platelets are faulty, may bleed
excessively. ~ The World Book Encyclopedia, 1976. pp 324-330. ~
Platelets have been called the "body's bandaid" -
they aid in the clotting of blood and the healing of wounds -
healthy platelets are essential for the body to begin the healing
process.
What is Plateletpheresis?
Pheresis is from the Greek, meaning "to seperate".
Therefore, Plateletpheresis is the seperation of the platelets
from the whole blood product. If you are already a Whole Blood
donor the process is very similar to
what you're already familiar with. If you've never donated
before, the donor visits our collection site (CDC)
and goes through a 3 step process.
Step 1 - "History"... During the
"History", a donor will be ask questions that relate to
their overall health and to any
potential health hazards their blood products may contain.
This process protects the donor and the American Red
Cross. The "History" includes the taking of the
donor's blood pressure, temperature, pulse and an "ear
prick" blood
test. All of the questions and these tests assure the safety of
the donor and the blood product being collected.
Step 2 - "Donating Platelets".... The process varies
from the Whole Blood collection process from here on. At
our Lynchburg site, the donor will select a video movie, a
favorite television channel, or possibly some music
and settles back in an extremely comfortable recliner chair. The
professional nursing staff of the
American Red Cross will select a good vein in each arm and mark
the area. The areas to be punctured are
swabbed with iodine and betadine solutions to clean and sanitize
the areas. A needle is placed in one arm to remove the blood from
the donor. It is carried into the apheresis unit that separates
the platelets from the
whole blood and returns the blood to the donor's other arm, where
a second needle
is placed to carry the blood back into the body.
During this drawing procedure the donor is pampered by the staff.
They are constantly monitored by the nursing staff, as they enjoy
their choice of video, TV or music. Some donors even sleep during
the process! The drawing
process takes approximately 90 minutes, however some donor's
complete the process in a shorter time.
Once the drawing procedure is completed, the needles are removed
from each arm and the areas are
again cleaned and bandaged.
Step 3 - "Canteen"... This step is optional because the
body will replace the platelets donated within
72 hours. Since no other blood products or fluids are removed,
the donor can go on about their business.
Who benefits from the donated Platelets?
Platelet donations go to help area cancer, leukemia and major
surgery patients. Many cancer patients
must undergo radiation or chemotherapy procedures. Both
procedures can kill platelets in the patients bloodstream.
Platelet transfusions give radiation & chemotherapy a better
chance to fight the cancer. Such transfusions
can also help patients recover from traumatic surgeries by aiding
in the clotting of blood and the healingwounds.
In the Appalachian Region, the platelets donated at the CDC are
sent to 44 area hospitals, upon demand.
Lynchburg General & Virginia Baptist Hospitals are two of the
heaviest users of donated platelets.
Approximately 50% of the collected platelets in this region are
used by cancer or leukemia patients. A little
over 40% of all platelet transfusions are to patients under the
age of 20 years old. A whole lot of people
benefit from the Plateletpheresis Program in Lynchburg, some of
which are really just starting to live anyway.
We often say that donating platelets is "Recycling
Life" and that our platelet donors are "Life
Savers".
Each platelet donor offers a therapeutic unit of platelets, which
it would take 7 - 10 units of whole
blood to make. Shelf life is only 3 days; however, most platelets
collected
in this area are used within 24 hours. The demand is that high!
Who can donate Platelets?
Platelet donors in our region come from all walks of life. One
must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least
110 pounds, be in good health and have a good vein in each arm. A
donor must be able to dedicate 2 hours of
their time for the complete procedure. Platelet donation is by
appointment only, five days a week. To schedule an appointment or
learn more about Plateletpheresis, call: (804) 846-4620 and ask
for Ro Putz. We happen to
think that our Platelet Donors are some pretty terrific people!
Do you qualify? What are you waiting for? Call today and become a
"Life Saver" too!
Platelet donors can also qualify as Bone Marrow Donors. At the
time of the fifth platelet donation, an
extra vile of blood will be taken to run an HLA test. There are
six HLA Types, (platelet types). Occasionally
a patient may require a specific platelet type to be transfused
and a cross matching can
be done to a specific donor for that type. The Bone Marrow
testing for types is also done at this time. Like
with certain platelet patients, some patients require specific
bone marrow types for transfusion. A platelet
donor will be given a list of their individual HLA numbers and
information on the voluntary Bone Marrow
Donor program. This test is run free of charge. Should one desire
to be a Bone Marrow Donor and have to have
these tests run on their own, it would cost $75.00.
What is the LYNCHBURG PLATELETPHERESIS TEAM?
The LYNCHBURG PLATELETPHERESIS TEAM is a partnership of two
volunteer groups, local platelet
donors and the staff of the Lynchburg CDC. The LYNCHBURG
PLATELETPHERESIS RECRUITER's
go to the community bloodmobiles and talk to whole blood donors
about becoming platelet donors. Recruiters
also visit businesses & attend community events with our new
table top display to educate the public and promote
our local pheresis program. The LYNCBURG PLATELETPHERESIS
COMMITTEE (LPC) is comprised
of volunteers involved in projects dealing with the promotion of
the Platletpheresis
Program in the Lynchburg, VA area as a part of the American Red
Cross (ARC), Appalachian
Regional Blood Services. They also plan a special recognition
event annually for the donors from this region.
These people combine to educate the public about our program and
attract new donors. At our most recent
event, May 29-30, 1998 these groups, along with a few
donors and ARC staff participating in the American
Cancer Society's (ACS) "Relay for Life" event. The
"PLATELETPHERESIS TEAM" came up
with a M*A*S*H theme for their campsite and decorated it and
themselves for this event. The TEAM had
a walker on the track for 18 & 1/2 hours and raised
approximately $2,500.00 for the ACS through
sponsorships and two raffles held. Some Team members spent up to
30 hours active during this
event. Nine new donors were signed up and it was a great change
to
socialize and get to know other Team members.
JOIN OUR PLATELETPHERESIS TEAM!
Become a Donor, volunteer on the LPC or the Recruiter's Team. As
a part of our TEAM,
remember...Together Everyone Achieves More!
Need another good reason?
O.K., It is a very selfish thing that we do as a part of this
TEAM. Being involved with so many people,
for such a great reason...just makes one feel very good inside!
For more information:
Email me