Sometimes it takes some gentle teasing from students in a classroom to prompt a person to do something. In the case of Adair Andrew of Black Jack, MO, that “something” has resulted in 400 platelet donations, and a desire to continue donating blood with the American Red Cross.

 

Andrew began donating blood as a college student in the 1960’s. Later, while working at a St. Louis area school, Andrew says he was typically unable to attend blood drives at the school because of a busy schedule. He says some of his students would good-naturedly tease him about not donating, which inspired him to make time to give blood. Since then, he’s made donating platelets part of his routine.

 

Platelets are small blood components that help the clotting process. Platelets help prevent blood loss by initiating the body’s first phases of the process. 

 

“I donate to help other people,” Andrew says.

 

That’s a bit of an understatement for a man who’s done it 400 times. One platelet donation can be worth from 12-18 whole blood donations. A single platelet donation can provide enough platelets for a full therapeutic dose for a patient in need. In fact, some platelet donations yield enough platelets for two or three therapeutic doses.

 

Unlike whole blood, which has a shelf life of 42 days, platelets can only be stored for five days after being collected. A donor can give platelets up to 24 times per year, or roughly twice per month. If you’d like to learn more about how you, too, can become a platelet donor, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

 

If you’re unable to donate blood or platelets, you can still help give the gift of life. Donating platelets is a life saving commitment that can take hours. Help keep platelet donors comfortable during their heroic act with blankets that will keep their body temperature up and movies that will keep them entertained during the long but vital process. For just a $25 donation, you can provide Blankets and Movies to 5 platelet donors like Adair Andrew.

 

Laurie