Platelet Donation FAQ

Your platelet donations could be used to help develop ground-breaking therapeutic treatments to change the lives of millions of people.

Every time you donate plasma or platelets, it’s an opportunity. By giving your time, you could be giving someone a chance to heal. A chance to live a better life. It could be a burn victim, a cancer patient, or someone who’s been in a serious car accident.

Your donation could also be used to help develop ground-breaking therapeutic treatments.

The sensation of donating platelets can vary from person to person, but for many, the process is relatively painless.

We use a collection process called apheresis. A needle, smaller than that used for whole blood donation, is inserted into each arm. You’ll feel a sting, similar to a pinch on the back of your arm.

First-time donors should expect the platelet donation process to last about 2.5 hours. On subsequent donations, 2 hours is typical.

Some find their donation time to be a restful break. You can read a book, listen to music, or catch up on your favorite podcast while you donate.

You can donate platelets as often as once every seven days. This is because most people who donate platelets naturally return to a normal platelet count after that time. You can donate up to 24 times in one year.

Each time you donate, you will undergo a brief wellness check. We will check your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and blood count. Consider this window into your health status a bonus for you.

Regular monitoring may help you catch concerning health issues.

You are encouraged to eat a healthy diet, exercise, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest. Not only does this facilitate donation and help you feel better afterward, but it also boosts your overall health. When you donate, you also have the satisfaction of knowing you are providing those in need with a life-sustaining gift.

Several factors may disqualify individuals from donating platelets, including:

• Certain medical conditions
  For example, you cannot donate platelets if you have sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait.
• Certain medications
  If you take anticoagulant medications or teratogenic medications, you may not be eligible to donate. Those taking antibiotics cannot donate within 24 hours of their last dose.                                                                                                                                                                                                You must not take aspirin within 48 hours of donating. If it has not been this long, you will not be eligible to donate. Aspirin interferes with the ability of platelets to clump together. Depending on why your provider has prescribed aspirin, this may be a desired effect for you. Platelet recipients, however, need platelets that are functioning normally.
• Travel history
  Recent travel to certain countries or regions with a high risk of infectious diseases (e.g., malaria) may disqualify individuals from donating for a specific period to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases through platelets.
• Piercings and tattoos
  Recent piercings or tattoos may disqualify individuals due to the risk of bloodborne infections.
• Pregnancy
  You are ineligible to donate platelets if you are pregnant. The effects of donation on unborn babies are not clearly known. In addition, specific antigens circulating in your blood during pregnancy could adversely affect a platelet recipient.
• Weight and age
  Donors must meet certain weight and age requirements to donate platelets.
• Health history
  You will not be eligible to donate platelets if you have a transmissible infectious disease, such as HIV, flu, a cold, COVID-19, tuberculosis, monkeypox, or hepatitis. If you have herpes but have no active lesions or are taking an antiviral drug, you may be eligible to donate. You are not qualified to donate if you have had sexual contact with someone with hepatitis, HIV, gonorrhea, or chlamydia or with someone who has injected illicit drugs or engaged in prostitution.

Learn more about the rules for donating platelets.

The ideal blood types for platelet donors are A+, B+, AB+, and AB-. If you are unsure of your blood type, you can find this out at PlasmaSource.

PlasmaSource staff strive to ensure the safety of your donation. We use 100% sterile, single-use needles and collection kits. We practice careful hand hygiene and disinfect surfaces and equipment regularly.

Our trained staff follow stringent safety and health protocols in accordance with CDC guidelines. If you are searching for a platelet donation center in Illinois, PlasmaSource is an excellent choice.

Learn more about donation safety and side effects.

Get plenty of rest the night before you donate. Get adequate hydration and eat healthy meals, including calcium-rich foods. Avoid taking aspirin within 48 hours of donating platelets.