Change a Become a platelet donor
GUIDE TO PLATELET DONATIONS FOR SANBS STAFF
sanbs.org.za
Toll free: 0800 11 90 31
FAQ’s How are platelet donations different from blood donations? It takes around 90 minutes to donate platelets. Platelets can only be donated at selected SANBS donor centers with an appointment. They are not available at mobile drives. Platelet donation involves a machine extracting only platelets and plasma and returning the rest of your red blood cells to your body. What we get from one platelet donation is equivalent to almost five whole blood donations. A single platelet donation can produce enough platelets for 2 to 3 patients. Platelets can be donated up to 24 times per year, compared to a maximum of 6 times per year for whole blood donation.
What happens during a platelet donation? A small amount of blood is extracted from your arm and placed in a machine known as a centrifuge. The platelets and plasma separate from the other blood components as the blood is rapidly spun. In the meantime, the rest of your blood - red and white cells - is returned to you. This cycle is repeated several times. Donors can use the time to relax and have some me-time while enjoying some snacks provided by SANBS.
What are platelets used for? Platelets are needed consistently by hospitals and have a limited lifespan of 5 days. That is why SANBS is constantly looking for donors. Sometimes people’s bodies don’t produce enough platelets. Some cancer, trauma, surgery and other critical patients need your help for extra platelets. When cancer patients undergo treatment, a major side effect is low platelet count. Platelets help blood clotting and with a low platelet count, they could experience major issues such as internal bleeding. After major surgeries, platelets are needed to replace those lost during bleeding.
Is it safe to donate platelets? Yes, platelet donation is safe. Platelet donations are performed in a highly regulated setting by professionally trained SANBS staff. Although most people feel well after donating platelets, a small minority of people may feel lightheaded or dizzy, have an upset stomach, or develop a bruise or soreness where the needle was inserted. Most adverse events are mild, with self-limiting symptoms, and only require observation or supportive care. Some donors experience chills as fluids are returned to you. 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 your body and can be quickly alleviated with calcium. If this sensation occurs, the staff will give you a calcium supplement like Cal-C-Vita.
What are the long-term health impacts of donating platelets, especially given the donation frequency? There are no recorded long-term side effects at this stage. The continuous improvement of technology of the apheresis machines and quality standards have made platelet donation much safer.
Do I qualify to be a platelet donor? You qualify to be a platelet donor if: • • • • • •
Consider your blood to be healthy and safe to give to a patient. Weigh more than 55kg. Between 18 and 65 years of age. Have not taken aspirin 7 days prior to donating. Have not taken anti-inflammatory medication 3 days prior to donating. Have a platelet count above 180,000 per micro-litre – this is tested during a screening process.
If you are interested in becoming a platelet donor, you can visit one of our donor centres, where you will undergo a screening process to make sure that it is safe (for you and the recipients) to donate platelets. The screening process entails a questionnaire and a blood test. Your blood sample gets sent to our state-of-the-art lab to test for total protein and full blood count; looking specifically at your red cell, haemoglobin, white cell and platelet count. After about a week, SANBS will be in touch with you to let you know if you qualify to be a platelet donor and you will be ready to make your first appointment!
How often can I donate platelets? Platelets may be donated every 14 days, up to 24 times a year.
What if my platelet count is low? You can still donate plasma or whole blood!
What should I do before donating? • • • • • •
Ensure you are well rested the night before you donate blood. Eat salty snacks and increase fluid intake (non-alcoholic) before donation. Eat a well-balanced breakfast on the morning of the donation, avoiding fatty foods such as burgers, fries or ice cream. Drink at least two good size glasses of water in the 2 hours before coming to donate blood. This will reduce a possibility of fainting. Wear a t-shirt or shirt with sleeves that are easy to roll up. Talk to us if you are anxious so that we can assist to calm your nerves. 90-120
What should I do while donating? • • • • •
Do not wear tight clothes so that you can be comfortable while donating. Perform muscle tension exercises while on the donation bed to improve circulation. These include crossing your legs, squeezing your inner thighs and abdominal muscles and stretching your ankles. This can be done by holding for 5 seconds and relaxing for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times and then switch legs. Do not get up from the chair too quickly.
What should I do after donating? • • • • • •
Drink an additional two glasses of water in the hour after donating as it is important to maintain good hydration. For the next 6 hours after donation, try to drink at least 1 glass of water per hour and eat regular meals. Avoid strenuous physical exercise, walking and rushing around or standing up for long periods. Avoid having hot bath or shower after donation. Do not do any strenuous or hazardous occupational activities for the rest of the day. All things mentioned above decrease the chances of fainting after donation.
What blood types should donate platelets? • •
All blood types, except for type O negative and type B negative, are encouraged to try platelet donation. Type O negative and type B negative can make the most impact for patients in need by continuing to give whole blood, unless they struggle with low hemoglobin. If you are type AB you can make the most impact by donating plasma and platelets.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
FOR CONVERTING WHOLE BLOOD DONORS TO PLATELET DONORS
According to research1, 56% of platelet donors became donors after being approached by a member of the blood service. Converting whole blood donors at the centres is critical to maintaining a steady supply of platelet donations. The below statistic from Red Cross is presented for illustrative purposes only.
Barriers to platelet donation by donor type Why people chose to donate platelets instead of whole blood
4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0
8%
15%
56%
24%
2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0
I initially donated platelets to healp a friend/family member
I received information via e-mail/mail regarding platelet donation
I heard about a shortage of platelets
0.5
I was approached by the Red Cross
Majority of WB donors (56%) decided to donate platelets because they were approached by a member of the blood service
0.0 Length of donation
Donation Location
Lack of Information
Platelet Donors
Anxiety
Blood Service Hours
Whole Blood Donors
Although there are several barriers to converting whole blood donors to platelet donors and recruiting new platelet donors, a lack of knowledge about the donation process has proven to be a major impediment.
As at March 2022, SANBS has 518,342 donors, of which 35% (182 348) are group A and AB The objective of our Change A Life campaign is to increase the number of regular platelet donors. In order to do this, conversations between SANBS staff and existing or potential donors is vital. 1
Anderson, Collin; DeCastro, Racquel; Golden, Alexa; Hilker, Sidney; Liu, Flora; Nocera, Vincent; Wolf, Seth; Lamping, Jenny; and Fung, Mark, "Converting Whole Blood Donors to Apheresis Donors" (2019). Public Health Projects, 2008-present. 276. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/276
Things to remember when engaging with potential platelet donors: Conversation Starter Whole blood donors might not be aware of the different types of donations than can be made
Do you know about the different types of donations that you can make at SANBS?
Donors might not be aware of the current shortage experienced
We are currently experiencing a shortage of platelet donations. Would you be interested in hearing more about how you change someone’s life?
Donors may be unaware of how their blood type affects the impact they can make with various donation types.
Did you know that different blood types can make a bigger difference by donating certain blood products?
Donors think they that have to donate every 2 weeks
Platelet donors can donate every two weeks, but we understand that it is not always possible, but with every donation you make you are changing someone’s life.
Donors fear the process and of any adverse affects
Most of our patients feel absolutely fine when donating. You can even speak to one of our platelet donors and they can explain how they feel during and afterwards.
Things to remember when engaging with potential platelet donors: Other conversation starters specific to blood type: AB
AB is a very rare blood type as less than 5% of the population has this special blood type. They are very special platelet donors, as AB donors can provide platelets and plasma to all blood types.
O-
O negative blood type can only receive O negative blood. O negative is the most common blood type used for transfusions when a person’s blood type is unknown – so the demand for O- is quite high.
O+
Type O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type, which is why it’s considered the most needed blood type.
A-
Platelet donors can donate every two weeks, but we understand that it is not always possible, but with every donation you make you are changing someone’s life.
A+
1 in 3 people are A+, and as you can imagine A positive blood is in high demand! Patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments also have a high demand for the platelets from those with the A positive blood type.
Rare blood type
Your blood type is found in less than 1% of the population. People with rare blood rely on one another to ensure an ample supply of blood is available when needed.
25 Sites nationwide
Platelet Donor Centres GAUTENG
TELEPHONE
EASTERN CAPE Provincial Hospital Grounds, Buckingham Road, Port Elizabeth
041 391 8212
Shop U 40, Cnr Kabega &Walker Drive Shopping Centre, Walker Drive, Sherwood, Port Elizabeth
041 391 8287
Alberton
Shop 506, Alberton City Shopping Centre, Alberton
011 869 4572
Port Elizabeth
Atterbury
Shop 1.02, Level1, Atterbury Value Mart, C/ OAtterbury & Selikats Causeway, Faerie Glen, Pretoria, 0081
012 391 2558 012 391 2559
Walker Drive
Bedfordview
Finance House 25 Ernest Oppenheimer str Bruma, Bedfordview
011 622 7153
Beacon Blood Donor Centre
31 Beacon Rd, Building No. 5, Florida
Fourways
Shop 12, Forest Design and Décor Centre, cnr. Forest Road and Sunset Avenue, Pineslopes
Kolonnade
Sefako Makgatho Drive & Enkeldoorn Ave, Montana Park, Pretoria, 0159
TELEPHONE
FREE STATE
TELEPHONE
Kimberley
169 Du Toitspan Road, Belgravia Kimberley
051 400 6860
011 767 9900 011 767 9897
Victorian Square
Victorian Square, Shop 34 & 35, Cnr Second Avenue and President & Reitz Street,Westdene Bloemfontein
051 447 7429 051 447 7246
011 767 9955
KWAZULU NATAL
012 391 2655 012 391 2656
Hillcrest
Shop No 20, The Colony, 50 Old Main Rd Hillcrest
031 765 4035
Loop Street
294 Loop Street (cnr Loop St and Henrietta St) Pietermaritzburg
033 264 3600
L030A&B Westwood Mall , 16 Lincoln Terrace, Westville
031 719 6500
Maponya
Shop 410 1st Floor, Maponya Mall, Pimville, Soweto 1808
011 767 9842
Westwood Mall DC
Monument
Anthos Shopping Centre, Shop 7 & 8, Voortrekker Road, Krugersdorp
011 954 0229
MPUMALANGA
Northgate
Shop No 609 Phase 6 Northgate Shopping Center, Northriding
011 767 9325
Southdale
Shop 19 Southdale Shopping Centre, Alamein Street, Southdale
011 433 8414
Westgate
Westgate Shopping Centre, Roodepoort Gauteng
011 768 0283
Centurion
Shop 15B, Jean Village Shopping Complex, C/O Jean Ave & Gerhard Street, Centrurion.
012 391 2597 012 391 2598 012 391 2599
Plaza, Pretoria
012 391 2590 012 391 2593 012 391 2592
Benoni
42 14th Avenue, Northmead, Benoni
011 897 4950
Kempton Park
Law Chambers Building, 20 Central Avenue, Kempton Park
011 970 4194
Klerksdorp
Shop 63, Flamwood Walk Shopping Centre, Brother Patrick Lane, Klerksdorp
018 462 0637
River Square (Three Rivers)
Shop No C2, River Square Shopping Centre, Nile Drive, Three Rivers
016 454 9451
TELEPHONE
Middelburg
TELEPHONE Shop 13, Wonderpark Spar Centre, 29 Church Street, Middelburg
013 243 0245