Platelet Donors

What are platelets?

Platelets help your body stop bleeding by forming clots at injury sites.

Why donate platelets?

Some patients cannot produce enough platelets or their platelets are destroyed — for example:

  • Cancer patients
  • Patients with severe burns
  • Trauma patients
  • Patients with liver disease

How platelet donation works:

  • A needle is placed in your arm.
  • Blood passes through a specialised apheresis machine.
  • The machine separates and collects platelets and plasma.
  • The remaining blood components are returned to your body.
  • The full process takes about 90 minutes.
  • During the donation, you can relax comfortably with refreshments and entertainment.

Is it safe?

Platelet donation is very safe and similar to plasma donation. Some donors may experience mild bruising, light-headedness, or tingling around the lips due to a temporary drop in calcium levels. These effects are usually mild and easily managed.

Who can donate platelets?

  • You need to meet all our regular donor criteria and should have comfortably donated whole blood at least five times before.
  • You need to have a flexible schedule that can allow you to donate on weekday mornings. Platelet products have a shelf life of only five days and must be processed within eight hours of donation. Unlike other blood components that can be refrigerated or frozen for far longer periods, platelets must be obtained more frequently and often at short notice.
  • You need to have easily accessible veins.
  • You cannot use aspiring or anti-inflammatory medication within 72 hours of donating, as these can affect the functioning of your platelets.

Criteria to become a platelet donor:

  • Must meet the general blood donor criteria
  • Should have donated whole blood at least five times
  • Must have weekday morning availability
  • Good veins are required
  • Avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory medication for 72 hours before donating

Platelets can be donated every month.

Where to donate:

Platelet donations are currently done at the WCBS Head Office between 07h00–13h00. If you are interested in becoming a platelet donor contact us.

Designated platelet donations:

Some donors are selected through the South African Bone Marrow Registry to donate for a specific patient needing HLA-matched platelets. The reason for this is that the patient has developed platelet antibodies, so they need to receive transfusions from a donor whose platelets closely match their own.