Your blood is made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part, called plasma, is made of water, salts, and protein. Over half of your blood is plasma. The solid part of your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Red blood cells (RBC) deliver oxygen from your lungs to your tissues and organs. White blood cells (WBC) fight infection and are part of your immune system. Platelets help blood to clot when you have a cut or wound. Bone marrow, the spongy material inside your bones, makes new blood cells. Blood cells constantly die and your body makes new ones. Red blood cells live about 120 days, and platelets live about 6 days. Some white blood cells live less than a day, but others live much longer.

There are four blood types: A, B, AB, or O. Also, blood is either Rh-positive or Rh-negative. So if you have type A blood, it’s either A positive or A negative. Which type you are is important if you need a blood transfusion. And your Rh factor could be important if you become pregnant – an incompatibility between your type and the baby’s could create problems.

Blood tests such as blood count tests help doctors check for certain diseases and conditions. They also help check the function of your organs and show how well treatments are working. Problems with your blood may include bleeding disorders, excessive clotting and platelet disorders. If you lose too much blood, you may need a transfusion.

There are four basic components that comprise human blood: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells represent 40%-45% of your blood volume. They are generated from your bone marrow at a rate of four to five billion per hour. They have a lifecycle of about 120 days in the body.

Platelets

Platelets are an amazing part of your blood. Platelets are the smallest of our blood cells and literally look like small plates in their non-active form. Platelets control bleeding. Wherever a wound occurs, the blood vessel will send out a signal. Platelets receive that signal and travel to the area and transform into their “active” formation, growing long tentacles to make contact with the vessel and form clusters to plug the wound until it heals.

Plasma

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. Plasma is yellowish in color and is made up mostly of water, but it also contains proteins, sugars, hormones and salts. It transports water and nutrients to your body’s tissues.

White Blood Cells

Although white blood cells (leukocytes) only account for about 1% of your blood, they are very important. White blood cells are essential for good health and protection against illness and disease. Like red blood cells, they are constantly being generated from your bone marrow. They flow through the bloodstream and attack foreign bodies, like viruses and bacteria. They can even leave the bloodstream to extend the fight into tissue.

Platelets are so important

• Platelets are tiny cells in the blood that form clots and stop bleeding. 
• For millions of people, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries.
• Platelets must be used within five days, so every day new Donors are needed.

Process of Platelet Donation

• Platelet donation uses a machine to extract your Platelets and then returns the rest of your blood back to the Donor.
• From Start to End, it takes 45 minutes to 1 hours of time to donate Platelets.
• Apheresis Platelets will be able to provide one Platelet donation what would normally be collected from up to 6-8 whole blood donations.
• Platelets can be donated up to 24 times a year compared to a maximum of 4 times a month for a whole blood donation.

Procedure of Platelet Donation

• A relatively small amount of blood is drawn from the arm and goes into a machine called a Apheresis Machine.
• This blood is rapidly spun, which forces the Platelets to separate from the other blood components.
• These cells then go into a sterile, single-use plastic bag.
• Meanwhile, the rest of the blood is returned to the Donor.
• This cycle is repeated several times. A single donation of Platelets often constitutes several transfusable Platelet units.

Benefits of Platelets

• Platelets give cancer patients the strength they need to keep fighting: While cancer patients undergo treatment, a major side effect is low Platelet count.  Without a Platelet transfusion cancer patients face life-threatening bleeding because Platelets help blood to clot.
• Platelets also help patients survive major surgeries or serious injuries:After major surgery or serious injury, patients may need Platelets to replace those lost during bleeding. Platelets keep them alive while they recover.
• Dengue patients where Platelets count reduces require Platelets as a life saving component.

Description of Duration of Platelets Donation

• From start to End, it takes about 45 minutes to 1 hours to donate Platelets.
• It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete the health history questionnaire and for the machine to be personally set-up for the process. From there one can expect to be donating for about 45 minutes to 1 hours followed by enjoying a snack in the refreshment area.
• This is because it takes time to separate and collect the Platelets from the other blood components. During the process, Platelets are removed from the blood and rest of the blood is returned to the Donor.

Donating Platelets is Safe

• Donating Platelets is a safe process.
• Platelet donations are performed by professionally trained staff.
• Each donation is collected through a new, sterile needle that is used once and then discarded.
• Although most people feel fine after donating Platelets, a small number of people may feel. lightheaded or dizzy, have an upset stomach or experience a bruise or pain where the needle was inserted.

Experience while Pricking

• Only for a moment. Pinch the fleshy, soft underside of the arm. That pinch is similar to what one would feel when the needle is inserted to arm.
• Some Donors experience chills as fluids are returned to the body. There are blankets available to help keep warm.
• In addition, some Donors may feel a slight tingling sensation. This is a mild response to the anticoagulant used when the blood is returned to the body and can be quickly alleviated with calcium. If this sensation occurs, the staff will give a calcium supplement.

Interval between Platelet Donation     

Platelets may be donated every Three days, up to 24 times a year.

Eligibility Criteria to Donate Platelets

• At the age above 18 years, generally good health who meets weight and height requirements may become eligible to donate Platelets.
• Person who are not on aspirin products for at least 3 full calendar days prior to the donation.
• The eligibility requirement for Platelets donation is same as a whole blood donation. As long as they meet the minimum requirements for donating whole blood they may be able to donate Platelets.                     

Precautions for Platelet Donation

• Do not take aspirin products for at least 3 full calendar days prior to Donation of Platelets.
• Plan to be in the donation chair for about 1½ – 2 hours to ensure a full donation.
• Get a good night’s rest prior to the donation.

Eligibility to donate Blood after Platelet Donation

After donating Platelets, Donors are eligible to donate any blood after 3 days but it suits only after the donation of Platelets.