Platelet Donation

The last time I donated blood, I asked the nurse to check if I was eligible to donate platelets. A very small percentage of people are eligible to donate, for a variety of reasons, including prior pregnancies. too small, not enough iron, cytomegalovirus, travel exposures, I could keep going...

A week later I received a call from a very nice woman who was just SO excited to inform me I was an eligible platelet donor. Her words were "there are so few of you out there, I'm so glad you're eligible. You can give every 2 weeks!"

This evening was my first platelet donation. First impression: they take more care of you, give you selections of dvds, a nice tv with headphones, sweet deal. It takes longer than a whole blood donation, but that means I can settle in and read for a while. The platelet process is strange. Whenever I donate blood, I always think of the scene in the StarTrek movie where they enter a hospital on Earth for a sick man who is about to undergo brain surgery, the Space doctors are outraged at the barbaric, ancient care and use a laser to heal him instantly. It makes me think about how in the future, hopefully we'll have synthetic platelets and blood, and we won't need centers all around the country leeching blood from willing donors...The process really is oldschool when you think about it. Nonetheless, the platelet machine is a fancy centrifuge with a lot of dials and ringing bells. It felt very strange feeling blood pushing through my veins back into my body. I also felt a little strange in general after giving, but I'm doing alright.

Why do I give platelets you ask? In honor of my lovely grandmother, who is very fortunate to be the recipient of weekly platelet infusions. And all the other family members, mothers, fathers, daughters, cousins, grandfathers, who wouldn't be here today without platelets. I may not be a doctor yet, but I'm finding ways to contribute to treatment and care in my own way...

So, next time you give blood, check if you can give platelets. It really is a blessing.