Paying it Forward with Platelets BY LION PATTI HURTGEN, A1 EDITOR
As Lions, we are always looking for ways to fulfill the mission statement of “We Serve.” The focus areas of Lions Club International (LCI) include vision, youth, disaster relief, humanitarian efforts, diabetes awareness, childhood cancer, hunger, and environment. All are done in the spirit of Lions. We can easily accomplish some of these focus areas with food drives, park cleanups, and used eyeglasses recycling. However, performing acts that benefit childhood cancer can be more challenging. Clubs can donate funds for research or equipment purchases, but the ability to personally commit and put some “skin in the game” to aid children with cancer is more of a challenge. Fortunately, an opportunity exists. A blood platelet donation can benefit children undergoing cancer treatments. Certain cancers and cancer treatments prevent patients from producing their own platelets. Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.9 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2022. For millions of Americans, platelets are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Platelets must be used within five days after donation and new donors are needed every day. Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured, they can only come from volunteer donors. The blood types of A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive and AB negative are ideal. Type O negative and type B negative can make the most impact for patients in need by continuing to give whole blood or a Power Red donation rather than platelets. Type AB can make the most impact by donating plasma, which can be done at the same time as platelets. Platelets also aid accident and burn victims, heart surgery, and organ transplant patients. Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S. Platelets can only be donated at select American Red Cross Donation Centers and requires an appointment because of the specialized equipment used. Platelet donation uses a machine to extract just the platelets and then returns the rest of the blood back to the donor. The process takes about three hours and includes completing the needed paperwork, setting up the equipment, and a short recovery time to enjoy juice and snacks. The actual donation takes under two hours. Depending on previous donations and arm status, one or both arms are used during a platelet donation. This is because blood is drawn from one arm, then the platelets are extracted using a machine, and the remaining blood components are returned through the other arm. If just one
• Platelets also help patients survive major surgeries or serious injuries. Many need platelets to replace those lost during bleeding. Platelets keep them alive while recovering. • Platelets give strength to patients with blood disorders and those with transplants. Platelets transfusions go a long way to help keep these patients going and live more active, healthy lives.
Preparation for platelet donation
Lion Patti Hurtgen regularly donates her platelet and plasma to the American Red Cross. arm is used, the process takes a bit longer as fluid must go in and out of the same vein. A typical platelet donation yields enough platelets for up to three patients. Unlike whole blood donations, platelets can be given more often. In fact, they can be donated weekly (every seven days), and up to 24 times a year compared to a maximum of 6 times a year for a whole blood donation. Plasma can also be collected at the same time as platelets, however plasma can only be taken once a month.
What happens during the donation? A relatively small amount of blood is drawn from your arm and goes into a machine called a blood cell separator. 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 your blood – the plasma, red cells and white cells – is returned to you. This cycle is repeated several times. While you donate, you can relax, watch a movie, or listen to music. For platelets, a smaller needle is used, which some find more comfortable. Because fluids and red cells are returned after donating platelets, some say they feel less sluggish after donating.
What happens to the platelets? Platelets are in constant demand by hospitals. After your platelet donation, they are immediately tested and prepared for delivery to a hospital. On average, platelets are transfused within 3 days of donation. Every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs platelets, so the need is continuous.
Who do they help? • 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.
32 Wisconsin WisconsinLion JULY / AUGUST 2022
The traditional eligibility requirements for platelet donation are the same as a whole blood donation. As long as you meet the minimum requirements for donating whole blood you may be able to donate platelets. Eligibility requirements including previous travel and medication restrictions will be checked. • Depending on the state, individuals as young as 16, in generally good health who meet weight and height requirements may become eligible to donate platelets. • You need an appointment to donate platelets. Schedule online, through the free Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. • A Red Cross donor card or photo I.D. is needed • Do not take aspirin products for at least two full calendar days prior to your appointment. • Get a good night's rest prior to your donation. • You should consume plenty of calcium-rich foods and beverages for a few days prior to your donation. Recently, it has been discovered that women who have previously been pregnant are more likely to carry antibodies that are believed to sometimes cause post-transfusion complications for blood and platelet recipients. Until these complications are better understood, the Red Cross will ask new female platelet donors about their pregnancy history and test those that have been pregnant for these antibodies. A positive result has no impact on the health of the donor, however donors who are positive for antibodies may be advised that they are better suited to a whole blood or Power Red donation. Donating platelets is a simple procedure. It does require your time (3 hours) and some minor preparation on your part, but the benefit of helping up to three people who are in desperate need of the platelets will be appreciated. The child you save could change the world, but knowing your donation changed their life just might just change you, too. At the Wisconsin State Lions Convention attendees could listen to a childhood cancer survivor and his mother. Michelle Wolfe spoke about the platelet donations that her son received as part of his cancer treatments, confirming that platelets are very valuable to cancer patients as they undergo treatment.