Platelets

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 process called automation. 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.

Platelets:

Shelf life:
5 days
Patients who need platelets:
cancer patients, organ transplant patients
Best blood type 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.
To be eligible you must:
  • be at least 17 years old (16 in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska with parental consent)
  • weigh at least 110 lbs.
  • be in good health

*Platelet, Plasma and Double Red Cell donations are not available at all Red Cross Operations.

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