Platelet donation may be life -saving for cancer patients. On the occasion of Saturday World Day of Blood Donors, he pointed out the Slovak Red Cross (SRC). He stressed the need to raise awareness of the possibility of donating platelets.
“In cancer treatment, there is often a significant loss of platelets, ie platelets responsible for stopping bleeding. This can lead to bruising, spontaneous bleeding or even threatening vital organs. At such moments, platelets are donated to the patient literally a life -saving medicine, ”said the SRC.
He noted that the Slovak public has very low awareness of the possibility of donating platelets. It is therefore trying to constantly look for new possibilities to communicate the topic of donation. “Therefore, we are grateful that the National Cancer Institute (NOÚ), as a top cancer workplace, accepted the offer for cooperation. Together, we will try to support the stable base of donors of platelets for an institution where patients from all over Slovakia are treated. Education about this type of collection will now become part of our mobile donations, ”said Zuzana Rosiarová, Secretary General of the Slovak Red Cross.
NOU explained that he needed three to eight donors every day for patients. “We consume more than 2000 platelet concentrates annually. Without them, our patients would not be able to do demanding treatment – even the most expensive medicine, or the best care would not help them save their lives without donated plates,” explained the head of the Laboratory Hematology and Transfusionology Department.
The SRC explained that unlike red blood cells that can be stored for up to 42 days, Platelets have a lifetime of only four to five days. “It is therefore not possible to take them into stock and donors must walk in sufficient quantities continuously,” he noted.
Added that Prombocyte collection is a more demanding process than taking full blood. “The donor is connected to a special device for about one hour, which only takes away from the plasma.
