Platelet drive Tuesday in Green Valley

The American Red Cross will conduct a platelet drive Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S. Camino del Sol.

Walk-ins are welcome for platelet prescreens between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. All presenting donors will receive a limited edition T-shirt. Donor ID is required.

To schedule your appointment for a platelet drive on Sept. 25 in Green Valley or for more information, contact Stacie Giedraitis at 520-917-2836.

The American Red Cross will set up a mobile platelet collection facility twice a month in Green Valley. The locations will be either the Elks Lodge, Valley Presbyterian Church or Casa de Esperanza and the hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Platelet donation Q & A:

What are platelets used for?

They are a clotting agent used to treat children and adults suffering from medical issues, such as, leukemia, other cancers, open heart surgery, burns and other serious illness.

Typically, there are 15-20 Tucson patients every day being served by Red Cross platelets. The shelf life of a platelet donation is about 3 days. With the snowbirds gone, permanent residents are needed to meet the patient demand.

How can I determine if I can give platelets?

Not everyone can give platelets (only about 1 in 8 whole blood donors qualify to give platelets).

To determine if you can donate platelets, walk in to the mobile site (call 917-2836 to get the GV location) on July 31, 2008 and request a ‘pre-screen’. You will complete a form and have a small vial of blood drawn. In a couple of days you will be called with the results.

How do I schedule an appointment to donate platelets?

If you are eligible or have given platelets before and would like to donate again, call 917-2847 to schedule an appointment.

What is the donation process like?

There is an interview by the Red Cross which takes about 15 minutes. The actual platelet donation takes between 60-90 minutes.

The donation process begins with one needle stick. Whole blood is drawn from the donor’s arm and enters and a instrument called a cell separator. It spins the blood causing it to separate into its components - platelets, plasma and red cells. We harvest the platelets and give the plasma and red cells back to the donor through the same needle. Platelets are replenished within 48 hours after donating. So you can donate up to 24 times a year.