12 things to know about donating platelets

You’ve probably heard of donating blood. But did you know you can also donate platelets – and that cancer patients depend on platelet donations, too?

Platelets are small cells in your blood that help stop bleeding. At UT MD Anderson, our patients need about 100 units of platelets each day.

Here's what to know about donating platelets and how you can donate to UT MD Anderson Blood Bank.

What are platelets, and what do they do?

Platelets are tiny cells that form in your bone marrow. Your body produces billions of platelets. In fact, a single drop of blood can contain hundreds of thousands of platelets.

When you get a cut, scrape or bruise, your platelets come together to help clots form to prevent or stop the bleeding.

Why are platelets so important for cancer patients?

Some cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, can attack the bone marrow where platelets are made. This means cancer patients often have very low platelet levels. This condition is called thrombocytopenia.

So, we often give platelet infusions to patients whose bodies are not making platelets on their own. This can be due to chemotherapy affecting the bone marrow or due to diseases in the bone marrow, such as blood cancers or myeloproliferative neoplasms. These infusions help protect them until their bone marrow starts making platelets again. This helps keep our patients healthy enough to continue cancer treatment.

Think of it this way: If you’re healthy and knock your hand against the wall, you likely won’t bruise at all. That’s because your platelets go in and stop the blood vessels from bleeding. But if you have cancer and have low platelet counts, blood can leak out of your vessel and cause a bruise. So, cancer patients need platelets to help protect them from those small bumps and knocks.

Is donating platelets as important as donating blood?

Yes. At UT MD Anderson, we use almost the same number of platelets as red blood cells. Many other centers use far more red blood cells.

Platelets only have a shelf life of 5 to 7 days. This means that we can only keep platelets for 7 days before they are unusable. This differs from red blood cells, which can be stored and used for up to 42 days. We have to regularly replenish our platelet supply to ensure we have enough for patients. A single platelet donation can help up to three patients. So, platelet donation is very important.

How long does it take to donate platelets?

We tell platelet donors to plan for 2 hours, start to finish. This includes a health history screening and the actual donation process.

But the exact time your donation takes will depend on several factors, including your platelet count, blood volume and the collection goal.

How do I prepare to donate platelets?

Eat a healthy meal before donating to help you maintain your energy levels.

Also, don’t take aspirin or products containing aspirin for at least 48 hours before you donate platelets. Aspirin affects the platelet membrane. This decreases the platelets’ ability to stick to each other and other cells to help form clots.

Does it hurt when you donate platelets?

We do a finger prick to check your hemoglobin as part of your health screening before you donate. Donors have told us that is the most painful part because it’s on your fingertip, where there are a lot of nerves.

You’ll also feel a pinch when we place a needle in your arm to collect the platelets –

similar to a blood draw or whole blood donation. After that, you should not feel any pain. Please let your collection specialist know if you do.

What happens during platelet donation?

At UT MD Anderson, we use an apheresis machine to collect your platelets. Apheresis means “to separate.” The machine separates out the part of your blood that is being collected and returns everything else back to you.

We start by placing a single needle into your arm. As the blood is drawn, an anticoagulant is added. This prevents clotting in the machine. After the platelets are separated and collected, the remaining components are returned to you.

We only use one arm for platelet donation, so you’re able to use your other arm freely.

Many people read a book or watch shows or movies on their cell phone. I’ve had a lot of people use their donation time as their “quiet time.” They put on noise-canceling headphones, pull out a book and read the entire time. Some people chat with the staff and other donors. It’s entirely up to you how you spend your time.

Are there any side effects after donating platelets?

The most common side effect is feeling cold. The next most common side effect is a tingling feeling in your fingers or around your mouth. This is caused by the anticoagulant we use. We can help control this by slowing how quickly we draw the blood and return it to your body.

There are fewer instances of people fainting after donating platelets than after donating whole blood. This is because we’re giving most of your red cells back to you.

Do you accept certain blood types for platelet donation?

We accept all blood types for platelet donations. Type AB is considered a universal platelet donor. This means the platelets can be transfused to anyone regardless of their blood type. 

What would disqualify me from donating platelets?

You won’t be able to donate platelets to UT MD Anderson Blood Bank if you have:

• History of blood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma. (You should be able to donate if you’ve had a solid tumor cancer or skin cancer and have been out of treatment for more than two years, with no cancer recurrence in this time.)
• Any diagnosis of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease for you and/or diagnosis of genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease for a blood relative.
• Any history of hemophilia or related clotting factor deficiencies requiring treatment with clotting factor concentrates
• Any history of taking any medication to treat HIV infection

Find more information about donor eligibility on our website.

How often can I donate platelets?

You can donate platelets once every seven days and up to 24 times a year. If you want to be a frequent donor, we recommend waiting two weeks between donations.

How can I donate platelets to help UT MD Anderson patients?

You can schedule your platelet donation at UT MD Anderson Blood Bank online, or you can call 713-792-7788. 

Joanne Becker, M.D., is a transfusion specialist in Laboratory Medicine at UT MD Anderson.