Donate Blood and Platelets
Donating Platelets
What to expect
New England Patriots offensive lineman Russ Hochstein talks about the importance of blood platelet donors and explains how to learn more about becoming a donor at Dana-Farber.
Plan to spend about two hours at the donor center. When you arrive, you will complete a confidential screening about your medical and travel history. Platelets are collected by a procedure called apheresis (a-far-EE-sis). During this process, a machine collecting blood from one arm separates your platelets from the other blood components, which are returned to you. The donation takes about 90 minutes during which time you can enjoy a variety of entertainment from our multimedia library on a personal TV screen, read about monthly happenings in the center's newsletter, or simply sit back and relax.
Safety is our priority; all materials used are new for each donor and then discarded. After the donation, you will be asked to remain in the donor center for a brief period of rest, during which time we invite you to relax and enjoy some refreshments.
Eligibility
"It is something so simple that can help so many people."
You are eligible to donate platelets every two weeks (up to 24 times a year), if you:
- Are at least 17 years old;
- Weigh at least 110 pounds;
- Are in good health;
- Are free of the following for 48 hours prior to donating:
- Aspirin or products containing aspirin (e.g., ibuprofen, Advil, naproxen, Motrin, Aleve)
- Feldene (piroxicam)
- Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate)
- Antibiotics and/or
- Dental cleaning.
You will be unable to donate if:
- You have had a tattoo or piercing within the last 12 months;
- You are pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant; or
- You have traveled to a malarial risk country.
There are other travel, medical conditions, and medications that may make you ineligible to donate. Please feel free to contact the donor center with any questions you have about your eligibility.
Appointments
You can make an appointment to donate platelets during the hours listed below for the Kraft Center.
For first time donors:
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Regular hours:
Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call (617) 632-3206, or e-mail us at joseph_powell@dfci.harvard.edu.