Apheresis Donation

A blood center's supply of single donor platelets can mean the difference between life and death. Apheresis is a procedure that requires an even greater commitment from donors than giving whole blood. Apheresis (from the Greek word "to separate") is a special kind of blood donation where just a certain part of the blood -- platelets -- is collected. Platelets are the disc shaped cells that stop bleeding. The South Bend Medical Foundation Central Blood Bank has been using the apheresis procedure since 1990.

During an apheresis donation, blood is drawn from a vein in the donor's arm. Instead of being collected in a bag, the blood is run through sterile tubing and into a centrifuge inside a machine called a blood cell separator. The centrifuge spins the blood so that the platelets are separated from the rest of the blood. The platelets are collected in a bag and the remainder of the blood is returned to the donor through a vein in the other arm. The entire donating process takes approximately two (2) hours.

The people who need platelets are often critically ill from diseases such as leukemia and other types of cancer, or certain blood disorders that interfere with the body's ability to produce platelets. Other recipients include those who have been in accidents or surgery, and people who need organ transplants. Many treatments including chemotherapy and radiation therapy can destroy platelets. Before platelet transfusions were available, uncontrolled bleeding was the number one cause of death for these patients.

Platelet dosages can be extracted from whole blood donations or they can be obtained through the apheresis process. Apheresis products are the preferred treatment for people who need platelets because they are concentrated and contain a higher platelet count per unit. When the platelet recipient receives this superior product, many show signs of improvement more quickly.

In order to meet the growing need for platelets for St. Joseph County residents, the number of apheresis donors must increase. The Central Blood Bank is interested in doubling the current donor base of 200.

It is safe to donate platelets. Healthy individuals have more than enough and the body replenishes the supply even while the donation is being made. In fact, because the body replaces platelets so quickly, platelet donors are allowed to donate more often than whole blood donors. As with whole blood donations, it is not possible to get AIDs or any other disease by donating platelets. All equipment is sterile, and the needles, tubes and collection bags are new for each donation and are discarded after use.

Donating platelets is voluntary. Apheresis donors have to meet the same qualifications as blood donors. The donor must be in good physical health, be free of any flu or cold symptoms for 72 hours, and cannot have taken aspirin or ibuprofen in the 72 hours preceding donation. They must be at least 17 years of age and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. It is recommended that the donor eat a meal before the donation.

Apheresis donors are screened and asked to provide a medical history, which is held in confidence. The donor receives a mini-physical: pulse, temperature, blood pressure, total cholesterol and hemoglobin count. When the donation is complete, the donor has refreshments and relaxes for ten minutes. Because the apheresis procedure does not take any volume of blood, donors rarely experience any discomfort. Donors can return to normal activities, but should refrain from strenuous exercise for 24 hours after the donation.