#55 - Donate Platelets
Let me clear up a common misconception....people who donate platelets DO NOT get paid money.
Donating plasma = money Donating platelets = warm, fuzzy feeling + pretzels :)
I have always loved donating blood. Is that weird? My thought process is that I have blood to give to someone who needs it so why not donate. Maybe some day down the road I will be the person in need of blood and praying for donations from kind people. About a year and a half ago, I went into the Red Cross donation center in Murray, UT to donate some blood. When I checked in for my appointment, I was given a white card and told they would explain it to me later. This card was indicating that I might be a good match for donating platelets but they needed to run a few tests to make sure. I agreed to the tests and then waited for the results to come back.
Results....I was a stellar candidate for donating platelets. In order to donate platelets a person needs to have a platelet count of at least 150 or higher. My count came back over 400. During my first platelet donation process they called me the Platelet Queen and said that if they had a hall of fame my picture would be up there. Because my count is so high I am able to donate a triple unit of platelets.
Here is a run down on what happens when you donate platelets....
You go through the same screening process for platelets as you would for donating regular blood. They take your temperature, blood pressure, prick your finger, check pulse and you answer the standard questions. If you make it past the screening process, you are led to a station. Each station has a chair and a TV/DVD combo with headphones. The worker does everything they can to make the donor comfortable. You can request to have the heating pad turned on or get a softer pillow or use blankets. Once you are all settled in and comfortable, the process begins. Both arms are used for the donation process. One arm (my left) is the arm that you pump with. This arm is where the blood comes from and travels to the machine that separates it. The other arm (my right) is the receiving arm. After your platelets are separated, your red blood cells and some saline are returned back through the needle in the receiving arm. It takes anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours for this process. The machines start dinging when you are almost done and the Red Cross worker comes over. They take the giving/pumping arm needle out first and wrap your arm. This lets the last little bit of blood and saline to be put back into the other arm. Same wrapping process is repeated on the receiving arm. With both your arms wrapped like a mummy and you are sent on your way. A quick stop at the snack corner for some water, apple juice, and pretzels and you are done.
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| Stepped up their game with GIANT pretzels |
A typical donation process for me takes about an hour and a half. Just long enough for me to watch two episodes of Grey's Anatomy. The donation center has quite the DVD collection for donors to watch while they are donating. I have watched the entire first season of Grey's and have 6 episodes left of season 3. They don't have season 2 at the donation center.
Because I am able to donate triple units each time I go, they call me about every 21 days to come back and donate. Typically you could donate a single unit every 7 days if you want. Red Cross workers are on top of things and call me the day I am eligible to donate again.
If you have some spare time and don't mind needles, check into donating platelets. They have a limited shelf life and can't be stored so there is always a demand.
-Em
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