Sandy Springs Resident Makes 250th Platelet Donation

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Last week, a Sandy Springs resident was recognized for his consistent quest to give live to others in need.

On Nov. 9, James Arnett donated his platelets for the 250th time and to mark that occasion, the director of Atlanta Blood Services dedicated one of the organization's devices in the resident's honor.

Carrie Cox, director of ABS, also presented balloons to Arnett and had a plaque placed on the device in recognition of the donation milestone.

For the last five years, Arnett, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, has donated platelets an average of 24 times per year.

Arnett’s first donation was on May 22, 2002, after his son’s teacher was diagnosed with cancer. His mother was a nurse during WWII and his father was a regular donor with the American Red Cross. He said his parents taught him the importance of giving back.

“If I can do one thing, it is to encourage everyone in the Atlanta community to donate," Arnett said. "It is such a small thing to give, but it is so important.”

The Atlanta Blood Service was established as part of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia to support local patient’s transfusion needs.

Readily available blood products are critical for leukemia and other cancer patients, victims of accidents and premature infants, said Nancy Herring, a donor recruitment team lead at Atlanta Blood Services.

“There is never a day that there are not patients in need,” Herring said.

The platelet supply is particularly difficult to manage due to a five-day shelf life. Low platelet counts can be life threatening for the patient in need.

The average bone marrow/stem cell transplant patient requires an average of 50 units during the course of treatment, transplant and recovery.

To manage the supply, ABS needs to keep a steady donor schedule all year long. The challenge is that many potential donors are not willing to spend the two to two-and-a-half hours required to donate on a regular basis, Herring said.

Donor centers are available at The Medical Tower at Northside Hospital, which is located at 5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Suite 1075 in Sandy Springs, and in Marietta at 220 Cobb Parkway North Suite 100.

Platelets are collected Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit atlantabloodservices.com.

Images via Northside Hospital