Walter Linz, MD, Director of Transfusion Medicine states "All blood product donations are appreciated. Apheresis platelet donations are particularly valuable for cancer patients which require a continuous and uninterrupted supply. That can only be accomplished in our area by donations from our patient’s friends and neighbors."

Although our local community has given generously, there has been an overall decrease in number of platelet donors, while, as communicated by the ARC, the need for platelet transfusions has grown at "unforeseen" and "unexpected" rates, at both local and national levels.

Platelets are the component of your blood that is essential for normal clotting function, and they are critically important to the survival of many patients with clotting problems and cancers, as well as patients undergoing major surgeries or organ transplants. With a short shelf life of only 5 days, it is a growing challenge to maintain an adequate supply of these lifesaving blood products.

We need our community’s donations and support to meet patient needs - please consider becoming a regular platelet donor.