“Platelets Across America” Donor Comes to Memphis, July 23-24

In October 2007, lifelong blood donor Al Whitney of Avon Lake, Ohio made a commitment to raise national awareness about the need for platelets by donating in each of the 50 states. On Wednesday, July 23, he will add Tennessee to his growing list when he comes to the Lifeblood donor center in Memphis.

“Tennessee has a big need for platelet and whole blood donations,” said Whitney. “The state is blessed with outstanding community blood centers, particularly in Memphis, Jackson, Chattanooga and Knoxville. I want to encourage every Tennessean to consider becoming a regular donor to help patients in desperate need all across the state.”

Whitney, who is organizing and funding his journey, has been an advocate for whole blood and platelet donation since 1965. He has made more than 600 platelet donations and given more than 5 gallons of whole blood.

Platelets are blood cells that help control bleeding. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets collect at the site of the injury and temporarily repair the tear. Platelets then activate a substance in plasma which form a clot and allow the wound to heal.

Many lifesaving medical treatments require platelet transfusions. Cancer patients, those receiving organ or bone marrow transplants, victims of traumatic injuries, and patients undergoing open-heart surgery may require platelet transfusion as part of their treatment.

Lifeblood, the Memphis area’s only local non-profit community blood center, provides more than 100 platelet units to area hospitals each week. Approximately half of the platelets distributed through Lifeblood are collected from local donors. The rest must be imported from other community blood centers across the country.

Platelets have a shelf life of only five days, compared to whole blood which has a shelf life of 42 days.

"People ask what keeps me going, and I tell them, 'Just walk through a cancer ward, then come back and ask me again,'" said Whitney. "I have not had cancer in my own family, but so many people need help, the least I can do is give my share and spread the word."

About Platelets

Whole blood collected from volunteer donors for patient transfusion is separated into components, one of which is platelets. Platelets can also be collected through a process called aphaeresis in which only the needed blood component (in this case platelets) are collected from the donor. It takes platelets from 5-6 whole blood donations to equal one aphaeresis platelet donation.

If you meet the requirement for donating whole blood, you probably can give platelets. Platelet donors must:

** Not have taken aspirin or products containing aspirin for 36 hours prior to donation

** Not have taken ibuprofen or Motrin 24 hours prior to donation

About Lifeblood

Memphis uses blood at twice the national average. It is home to the eighth largest medical center in the United States, the second busiest trauma center in the nation, one of the top ten transplant institutions and treats more sickle cell disease patients than most other areas in the country. Lifeblood, a non-profit organization, is the Mid-South community’s only volunteer, full-service blood center, and is the leading provider of blood and blood components to hospitals in the region. Each year, hospitals in the Mid-South community require more than 100,000 units of blood to treat patients in their care, and Lifeblood’s volunteer donors provide just over than half that amount. The rest must be imported from other volunteer blood centers throughout the country. Only dedicated individuals donating more frequently can help the community close that gap and stabilize the local blood supply. Donating blood is simple, takes less than an hour and saves up to four lives with just one donation. Those who are 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., and are in generally good health may donate blood. Visit www.lifeblood.org or call 901.529.6320 to make an appointment or for more information about how you can organize a blood drive and save lives.

give blood. give life. for our community.