Facing urgent need for platelets, CSRA blood bank boosts rewards

Published: Aug. 10, 2022 at 12:55 PM EDT

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Shepeard Community Blood Center said Wednesday it’s in urgent need of platelets from donors of all blood types.

Platelets help blood clots stop bleeding. They’re used to treat local patients who are undergoing cancer treatments, who were injured in an accident, or who are having surgery.

“If we have a slow day, it’s one day or two days. We’re seeing a slow week, slow two weeks,” said Director of Apheresis Program Melinda Woodell, Shepeard Community Blood Center.

Platelets have a short shelf life of only five days, so Shepeard is always in need. But we’re at a time of year when already-depleted blood banks have even more difficulty than usual finding donors.

“With the heat and people on vacation and all the increased shootings and accidents, we’re seeing usage go up extremely high,” said Woodell.

Shepeard is the CSRA’s local nonprofit blood center and supplies platelets and other blood products to all Augusta-area hospitals.

The lack of donations directly impacts the local hospitals.

“We service about 24 different hospitals, and unfortunately, when we have a slow day, it really negatively affects us with patients being able to get our products,” she said.

The demand for patients to receive platelets are also at an all-time high.

“Just over the weekend, we shipped out around 40 platelets when it’s normally around 14,” said Woodell.

With treating shootings and accidents, they typically use more than one platelet donation, with one recent shooting using 100. In these emergencies, having the platelets available is crucial to get the bleeding to stop.

“By the time they get to the hospital, they’ve lost a lot of blood, so they need those platelets to hold on to the blood we’re giving them and to stop them from bleeding before their blood loss gets worse,” she said.

To donate, you’ll need to call 706-737-4551 to schedule an appointment. Women may need additional testing to qualify as platelet donors, but men can donate immediately. The donation process takes about an hour and a half and can be completed every two weeks at a Shepeard center.

Donors must be in good health to donate, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old (or 16 with written parental consent). Be sure to bring a photo ID or Shepeard donor card with you when you come to donate.

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