Stanford Blood Center faces an urgent need for platelets

Published on April 04, 2022

Stanford Blood Center is facing an urgent need for platelets and is asking residents to come out and donate to meet the immediate needs of local patients. Currently, they have a number of open appointments. Blood donation appointments can be made through the online blood donor scheduler.

Platelets, which come from bone marrow, which help to induce clotting and control bleeding. During a platelet donation, Stanford Blood Center will collect one, two or three units of platelets. One of the medical technicians will recommend the number of units based on your weight, hemoglobin level and platelet count that day.

Please remember to increase intake of fluids, calcium, and iron at least two days before your appointment. Donors must be aspirin-free for 48 hours to donate platelets. This is because aspirin reduces the potency and performance of your platelets. The more time between taking aspirin and donating platelets, the better for the recipient.

Not sure if you’re eligible to donate platelets? Visit stanfordbloodcenter.org/platelets or call us at 888-723-7831.