I wanted to pass along some tips for potential blood donors.
I went to the Red Cross Blood Center here in Chicago last night to
donate, and had my heart warmed to see more than 50 people waiting.
It turns out I was the only one there for apheresis
(platelets/plasma). Since I was already a regular donor, (and
called ahead) and the only apheresis donor there I was admitted
immediately.
Apheresis take about two hours (most of the other donors had
finished before me) but yields two units of platelets from a
healthy donor. (I gave plasma last week and have to wait 28 days)
It would take between 12 and 16 regular units to be spun down for
platelets if they were needed. Platelets are always needed.
The other big advantage is that you can give again in a few days vs
the 3 month wait for whole blood donors, I give again on Saturday.
Consider apheresis.
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
SBC/Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
Disclosure notice: currently "plonked"
"Joe Dees" <joedees@addall.com>
"Party of Citizens"<citizens@vcn.bc.ca>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Oct 12 2001 - 14:40:29 MDT