Since leukemia is a cancer of the blood, the chemo targeted toward killing the leukemia also kills the rest of the cells. Hence, Samanatha (and others like her) will need LOTS of blood and platelets to help keep her going. Folks want to give for her. The best thing you can do is to simply replenish what she (and other use). Please consider this gift of life !
To give blood, call your local Red Cross. You can only give about every 6 weeks. To give platelets, call your local Red Cross to make an appointment. It takes about 2 hours to give. You can give platelets every 2 weeks ! It was the most awesome feeling to go give platelets and then 15 minutes later, see Sam receiving someone's platelets. Please give the gift of life !!!
And as a note here, when she receives blood and platelets, she actually gets a mixture from lots of donors. They do not want her body to build anti-bodies. Blood type does not matter with platelets either. The typing for platelets is called HLA type and most blood types can receive any HLA type !
Apheresis: A New Generation of Blood Donors
Apheresis is a special type of blood donation that allows for the collection of a specific blood part, or component, such as platelets. Platelets aid in the clotting process to prevent or stop bleeding, and are vital in helping a patient with leukemia or other cancers. Due to recent advances in the treatment of these serious illnesses, the demand for platelets is growing dramatically. Components collected from whole blood donations can no longer meet current demands. With one apheresis donation, the amount of platelets collected is six to eight times more than a regular blood donation.
Why are platelets important?
Each blood component has an important function. For example:
- Platelets aid in the clotting process to prevent or stop bleeding and help treat patients with cancer, leukemia and other diseases.
- Plasma carries other clotting factors and helps treat coagulation disorders.
- Red blood cells carry oxygen and help treat anemia, trauma and burn patients.
- White blood cells combat infection.
Because platelets are used in treating numerous serious health problems such as leukemia, cancer and aplastic anemia, they can often mean the difference between life and death. Due to recent advances in the treatment of these serious illnesses, the demand for platelets is growing dramatically. Whole blood donations alone can no longer meet current needs.
Normally platelets from six to eight whole blood donations are required to achieve a single transfusion. Because healthy people have an abundance of platelets, the apheresis procedure will yield enough platelets in a single donation to achieve a transfusion without risk to the donor.
Unlike red blood cells, which may be transfused up to 42 days after donation, platelets must be transfused within five days. That's why platelet donors are so important. When you give platelets, you know there is a patient with a very serious health problem waiting to receive your donation.
What Happens During the Apheresis Donation Process?
Your blood is made up of several components, including red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets. When you donate a unit of whole blood, you are giving all of these components. A special procedure call "apheresis" provides the means to donate just the platelets in your blood, and then return the remaining components back to you.
How does the process work?
Whole blood drawn from your arm enters an instrument called a cell separator. Inside the blood cell separator, platelets are carefully removed by a spinning process. The blood platelets are then collected into a sterile plastic bag, while the remainder of the blood is returned to you through a tube and needle into your other arm.
Is the procedure safe?
A platelet donation is as safe and painless as a whole blood donation. All needles and tubing are new, sterile and used only once. There is no direct contact between your blood and the cell separator.
How long does the donation take?
The entire process of donating platelets takes about two hours. The procedure is longer than a regular whole blood donation, because it takes more time to separate and collect the platelets from the other components in your blood.
Does it hurt?
You will only feel a slight pinch when one of the two needles is placed into each arm.
There are a few side effects which may occur. Some donors feel a slight tingling around their lips and nose when they donate platelets. This is a mild reaction to the blood anticoagulant used during the procedure. The nurse can correct this by adjusting the instrument. Some donors feel a slight chill during donation because the blood is cooler when it is returned. However, because the apheresis procedure removes only the platelets from your blood, possible side effects experienced during whole blood donations (such as lightheadedness) are avoided.
How often can you donate platelets?
Your body is able to replenish its supply of platelets very quickly -- usually within 24 hours. Thus, you can donate platelets as frequently as twice a week. However, you cannot donate platelets more than 24 times a year, and you must wait eight weeks following a whole blood donation to give platelets.
Cathy