donate platelets

How I did it: Donating platelets involves a lot more time than donating blood.  First they take the blood from you (with a large needle) then the remove the platelets and put the blood back in you.  It's a little different than just donating blood.  It was worthwhile but took a lot of time.And I didn't want all that icky yellows stuff put back in me.  The nurse told me it was fat in my blood.  Yuck! Read how I did it…

How I did it: One day when donating blood I saw a brochure for the need for platelets. Then another day I was there I joined the National Marrow Donor Program ( now known as National Marrow Be The Match Program.) Anyway, the platelet donation process takes appoximately 90 or so minutes on the machine but 2 hours total from the time you sign in, answer questionaire and get a quick check of your blood pressure, temp.,pulse and iron count. Honestly, most … Read how I did it…

How I did it:         I asked a lot of questions so I would know what to expect. I have since given platelets a few more times. Each time my calcium levels drop causing tingling in my lips! It's weird, but replenished quickly. No side-effects, except for knowing someone can use the platelets, yay! Read how I did it…

How I did it: Not difficult at all. I answered the same medical history questions as I would if I were donating whole blood. They generally use two needles, one in each arm, but after my first donation they switched to single arm donation (I only have one good vein for donating). They provide a little squeezy ball and instructions on when to squeeze and when not to. You even get a DVD to watch on a mini player with headphones. Read how I did it…

How I did it: One of my closest friends is a recruiter for United Blood Services. I donate whole blood for him on a regular basis, and when he found out I'm CMV-negative he began to cajole me to donate platelets as well. So I made an appointment and went on in.My friend had told me they have portable DVD players to entertain donors while they're hooked up to the machine, so I brought along the flick I'd just gotten for Christmas, which happened to be t… Read how I did it…