Lifeshare Issues URGENT NEED for Platelet Donations following Hurricane Matthew

LifeShare Community Blood Services strongly urges area residents to donate platelets now to help boost a critically low supply. LifeShare is part of the Blood Systems national network of blood centers. Current system platelet inventories are 50 percent below normal levels—only about a half day’s worth—a situation that’s being felt across the country.

Additionally, Hurricane Matthew has significantly impaired the ability for blood centers in the southeast to collect what patients need there. OneBlood, Florida’s largest blood center, has a severe shortage of platelets and has asked our organization and others for help. Unfortunately, LifeShare doesn’t have any surplus platelets to share at this time.

Platelets help control bleeding. They are used in the treatment of patients undergoing chemotherapy, surgery or transplant. Their shelf life is very short—only 5 days—while whole blood or red cell donations can last 42 days.

Those who wish to help may call 1-866-644-5433 or visit www.lifesharedonor.org to make an appointment to donate at a LifeShare Neighborhood Donor Center near you.

A platelet donation takes longer than a whole blood donation, about two hours. Eligible donors may give platelets every 7 days, up to 24 times in a 12-month period.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 years old must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. Donors 17 years of age and older do not need signed permission. More information can be found at www.lifeshare.cc.

LifeShare Community Blood Services, part of the Blood Systems national network of blood centers, has been this area’s non-profit community blood provider since 1948 and continues to be a valuable source of blood to Lorain County and is a primary provider to Cuyahoga and Stark counties. Blood Systems is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations, and is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers and the AABB. Our network of blood centers span the country and include Blood Centers of the Pacific, BloodSource, Bonfils Blood Center, Community Blood Services, Inland Northwest Blood Center, Lifeblood, LifeStream and United Blood Services.