the clotting component

Platelets.

The tiny cells that stop bleeding. From one whole-blood donation you get one small dose; an apheresis donation gives a full adult dose.

Why patients need it

Cancer treatment, dengue and blood-disorder patients often need platelets urgently, platelets last only 5 days, so banks can never stockpile them.

How it's donated

Either separated from a whole-blood donation, or donated directly by apheresis (a machine draws, filters platelets, and returns the rest to you, about 90 minutes).

Eligibility

Apheresis donors usually need a higher platelet count and more frequent checks, the centre screens before accepting.

Eligibility is the centre's call.Every donation, whatever the component, happens only at a licensed blood centre after their screening on the day. Our guides describe the general national rules; they never override a centre's medical decision.

Every component starts with a registered donor

Two minutes to join the register. We contact you only when a patient near you needs what you have.