What is apheresis?Apheresis is a process that separates blood into components by centrifugation. Specifically, your platelets will be collected on one of the Blood Cell Separators located in the Blood Donor Center. Platelets are collected for individuals of all ages suffering from leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other forms of cancer. Platelet apheresis allows the collection of 6-10 times more platelets than would be collected through one whole blood donation.
What is it like?Platelet apheresis feels much the same as a whole blood donation. Your blood is drawn from one arm and channeled through a sterile, disposable kit housed in the Blood Cell Separator. Your platelets are separated from your whole blood by centrifugation, collected, and the rest of your blood is returned through the same arm. Platelet apheresis takes between 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the entire process.
How does platelet apheresis help patients?
Platelets are needed to treat patients who are bleeding or in danger of bleeding. A large percentage of University of Illinois Medical Center apheresis products go to treat patients who are recovering from bone marrow and stem cell transplants, leukemia, aplastic anemia and other forms of cancer. Platelet transfusions are also used for some surgery patients. |
Is it safe?
All the tubing, bags, and needles used in the process are new, sterile and used only once by the donor. After a single use, these supplies are destroyed.
Can I give whole blood and be an apheresis donor too?Yes. Donor eligibility guidelines are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and are the same for both apheresis and whole blood donors. There are specific waiting periods between donations. After donating platelets, donors are eligible to donate whole blood or platelets after 72 hours. After donating whole blood, donors must wait 56 days before donating whole blood or platelets. Current FDA guidelines allow up to 24 platelet donations per year.
When donating platelets, it is important to not take aspirin or anything with aspirin in it 48 hours before your platelet donation.
How do I sign up to an apheresis platelet donor?
Please call our Blood Donor Center at (312)-996-6970 or our blood donor coordinator at (312)-996-1344 for an appointment.
Platelet donors require an appointment. |
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