Platelet donation

elmarko

elmarko

elmarko

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So..,

I gave blood a few months back & I've just got a letter asking if I can become a platelet donor due to be my blood type being for universal platelet donation (A-).

Do do you guys find it?, as while I've done normal blood donation I have no idea about platelet donation (what to expect) - from what I've read I can donate quite frequently but the nearest place is Southampton for me (grrr!).

I just wanted to see how others had found it, worse/better than regular donation etc.
 
Platelets are white blood cells they are given to people with blood diseases such as non Hodgkins lymphoma and leukemia. I am led to believe (I work with this sorta thing) its no worse or better. :) The labs just filter the blood I think. I hope this helps? :D
 
The two big problems are:

1) It can be a long drive, as you say. It only happens at the 14 clinics, so travel is always a necessity. You might need an accommodating boss.

2) It's slow. From arrival to leaving is about two hours. There's some leeway there, but not much.


The good news is that you are valued more, you get to know the staff, and they bring the food and drink to your bed. Our clinic even does free rolls and sandwiches for lunch. You can read, play on a lappie/fondlespab, watch TV (sound is by headphones only) or even watch a DVD you bring in on a portable viewer in some clinics. And you run up silly numbers of Points. I'm now at 503 IIRC.

p3_aph_trima.jpg
 
Meridian said:
The two big problems are:

1) It can be a long drive, as you say. It only happens at the 14 clinics, so travel is always a necessity. You might need an accommodating boss.

2) It's slow. From arrival to leaving is about two hours. There's some leeway there, but not much.


The good news is that you are valued more, you get to know the staff, and they bring the food and drink to your bed. Our clinic even does free rolls and sandwiches for lunch. You can read, play on a lappie/fondlespab, watch TV (sound is by headphones only) or even watch a DVD you bring in on a portable viewer in some clinics. And you run up silly numbers of Points. I'm now at 503 IIRC.

p3_aph_trima.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for the replies guys/gals,

Nice to have some details first hand :) - I'll sign up & speak to my boss, see how he feels (it's a bit of a commute as I don't drive, but if A- is a much needed platelet group then I feel I should make the extra effort.

You mention points?, what are those for?.

Also, I've read on a few things that A- are universal platelet donors, but not on other sources - any further info on this?.

Thanks all
 
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Mrs Seabiscuit said:
Platelets are white blood cells they are given to people with blood diseases such as non Hodgkins lymphoma and leukemia. I am led to believe (I work with this sorta thing) its no worse or better. :) The labs just filter the blood I think. I hope this helps? :D
Click to expand...

platelets are the clotting agent in your blood, they are given to people who have blood clotting problems caused by various diseases or genetic disorders
 
I did donate platelets but was told earlier this year that I couldn't any more as one nurse believed I had an irregular heartbeat.

Two GPs and two visits to cardiology said otherwise but they wouldn't listen so blood donations only now.
 
I forgot a couple of things:

1) The needle insertion is pretty much the same as for whole blood. You can ask for a local anaesthetic though, which I think you can't with whole blood? But if you are used to going without for WB, you won't feel any different. Ignore people who try to put you off by saying the needle is bigger: the difference is tiny.

2) Some clinics offer an out of hours service a few times a month, on either weekends and/or evenings. You may be able to donate without affecting work. Other Half can drop you off and go shopping etc if you pick a Saturday. But places are limited. I book appointments two ahead (call it two months) to get the pick of times.

3) Frequency. The official website says up to fifteen donations a year, with no two closer than two weeks. I go every four weeks, which is about standard. I think some people are still doing donations every two weeks, but you need to watch your haemoglobin level if you play that game.
 
I used to donate platelets, but found the whole process uncomfortable. They do make you feel quite special, and are always needing more platelet donors. I think I managed 4 donations before deciding that it just was not for me.

The newcastle one has a TV, heaphones, radio, and loads of papers and magazines. That was a while back though!

Mind you, you might not be able to donate, you need a high platelet count in your blood to be eligible. They take the excess and leave you with a 'normal' persons amount.
 
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