Platelet donations

Platelet bags

A platelet transfusion can be the difference between life and death for leukaemia patients and people undergoing chemotherapy. As new treatments develop, more patients are being successfully treated with platelets which mean there is a growing demand for platelet transfusions.

Platelet donor criteria:

Aged 18 years or over
Height and weight restrictions apply for platelet donors - please enquire at one of the Donor Centres below
Have donated blood at least once in the last two years with good flow and no adverse reactions
Meet donor eligibility criteria
Blood groups: A or O (Rh positive or negative)Your availability, the suitability of your veins and platelet count are also factors we need to consider before accepting you as a platelet donor.

Benefits

Platelets and plasma can be taken from a whole blood donation too. But one donation of platelets by apheresis provides the same amount of platelets as 8 to 12 whole blood donations combined.

There is also minimal risk of iron depletion because red blood cells are returned to the donor.

To learn more or to sign up to be a Platelet Donor, please contact one of the following Donor Centres:

How to become a platelet donor (pdf, 1.7 MB)

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