Message from Sharyn - Donating platelets is easy!

If you can sit in a recliner for an hour and watch television - you can donate platelets.

Donating platelets is so EASY!

I had a great experience donating platelets for Christine today. Everyone at City of Hope is extremely nice. After a few minutes of paperwork they test your blood for an iron level and to estimate if you can donate 1 or 2 units. There is only (1) one, very small needle that goes in (1) one arm (just like any blood sample you've given at the doctor's office).

Technology has figured out a way for the needle to connect to a couple of tubes. One takes blood out, it goes into the machine and removes the platelets. Then another tube sends the rest of the blood back into the same arm. This process alternates every few minutes till they have enough platelets. Really amazing. It took about 2.5 hours from when I walked in to when I left and that was for 2 units!

Anyone can do it. You don't have to have a matching blood type. Everyone has platelets that can help Christine, and she is going to need them. Platelets are only good for 5 days. Yep. 5 days.

Christine is going to need platelet transfusions before, during and after her transplant over the next 100 days. So don't worry if you have Fourth of July plans. You can still be a HUGE help to Christine by donating sometime over the next month or so.

Another thing about donating platelets is that with the blood returned to you, so you can donate more often. Every two weeks to be exact.

Best thing about it, is you can swing by and say "hi" to Christine afterwards. The true reward is seeing that smile.

Remember, if you can sit and watch tv for an hour - you can donate platelets.

Big thanks to Jocelyn T for coordinating donors with City of Hope. All I had to do was give her my name and number and a person from City of Hope person contacted me days later to set up an appointment at my convenience.

Call Jocelyn now and set up your appointment today!

Sharyn