Blood is drawn from the arm and channeled through continuous, sterile, single-use tubing to an automated system. TRIMA separates and collects the needed component(s) and then safely returns the remaining components to the donor.

One donor may donate any of the following combinations of blood components during one visit:

• Since the donations are based on individual donor information (height, weight, and blood counts), the collection times vary. The collection of platelets takes 1 to 1½ hours, whereas two units of red cells take approximately 30 minutes.

For more information, call the Apheresis Department at 864-255-5005, ext. 1026.

Donating Whole Blood

Each donation can save up to three lives. They may not know you by name, but they'll always remember your gift. With only one hour of your time, you can give a lifetime.

Who Can Donate?
Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.

Donation Process - Donating blood is safe, simple and takes less than an hour.

Questions About Eligibility
Certain health conditions or medications may temporarily or permanently prevent you from donating blood. The Food and Drug Administration changes donation requirements often, so check the Web site regularly. If you have questions, call 864-239-2937, ext. 1012.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS:

• AIDS-individuals at high risk and their partners: cannot donate
  
• Active cold and flu: cannot donate
  
• Diabetes, on injectable insulin: can donate
  
• Diabetes, on oral medications (controlled): can donate
  
• Hepatitis and Jaundice, after Age 11: cannot donate
  

TRAVEL

• Visitor in malaria area: can donate after one year 
  
• Resident or Immigrant from Malaria area: can donate after three years
  
• Stationed on military base in Germany, Belgium,
  Netherlands from 1980-1990 for > six months: cannot donate
  
• Stationed on military base in Spain, Portugal, Turkey,
  Italy or Greece from 1980-1996 for > six months: cannot donate

PREGNANCY

• After delivery, miscarriage, abortion: can donate after six weeks
  
• Nursing mothers: can donate six weeks after delivery

OTHER

• Active Asthma: cannot donate
  
• Leukemia or lymphoma: cannot donate
  
• Skin Cancer - basal or squamous: can donate if removed and healed
  
• In-Situ Cancer: can donate if removed and healed
  
• Other Cancers: cannot donate until definitive therapy has been completed - must be in remission for 1 year if Stage 1 or 2 or 2 years if Stage 3 or 4
  
• Angioplasty: can donate after one year 
  
• By-Pass Surgery (symptom free with no restrictions): can donate after one year
  
• Heart Attack (complete freedom of activities without restrictions):
  provided all other donor criteria are met. One year wait is subject to evaluation by medical director.

SURGERY

• Without transfusion after release from M.D.: can donate
  
• With transfusion of blood or blood components: can donate after one year
  

Antibiotics

• Oral given for infection: cannot donate until medication completed
  
• Oral given for acne, rosacea, preventative measures: can donate
  
• Injectable: cannot donate until medication completed
  

Other

• Allergy Medications, Diuretics, Diet Pills, Sleeping Pills, Tranquilizers, Aspirin, Tylenol, Hormones, Contraceptives, Antidepressants, Blood Pressure*, Cholesterol, and Thyroid Replacement: can donate
  
• Tegison: cannot donate
  
• Proscar, Propecia, Accutane: can donate four weeks after medication is completed
  
• Soriatane: can donate after three years
  

VACCINATIONS:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella: can donate after one month 
  
• Flu: can donate
  
• Hepatitis B Vaccine: can donate after 21 day wait
  
• Hepatitis B Immune Globuline: can donate after one year

OTHER POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS

Ear / Body Piercing

• If performed with single use equipment: can donate
  
• If not performed with single use equipment: can donate after one year
  
  

Tattooing

• If done by a state licensed professional, under sterile conditions: can donate
  
• If done by you, a friend, or an unlicensed individual : can donate after one year

Plateletpheresis (pronounced Plate-let-fer-E-sis) is the process of collecting platelets from a donor. Using a machine the platelets are collected, and the plasma and red blood cells are returned to the donor.

Just as in whole blood donation, a needle is inserted in a donor's arm. Blood is drawn or collected through closed sterile tubing that passes through a centrifuge, which separates platelets from the whole blood. The platelets are collected in a sterile collection bag with almost all red cells and plasma returned to the donor via the same needle.

New sterile tubing and collection bags are used for each donor. You are never exposed to the blood of any other donor.

 Who can donate platelets with apheresis?
Almost anyone who is a whole blood donor can donate platelets. You are eligible if you are at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health. You can donate platelets every 48 hours for a total of 24 times per year. Platelet donors must not take aspirin or products containing aspirin within 36 hours of their donation. Aspirin consumption takes away the "stickiness" of platelets causing the platelets to lose their ability to adhere properly when needed to stop bleeding.

Platelet donors must not take Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) within 24 hours of donating. NSAIDS contain analgesic (for pain) and antipyretic (for fever) properties, which mimic the action of aspirin and interfere with platelet function for up to the first 24 hours after taking the medication.

APHERESIS FACTS:

• Apheresis usually refers to platelets, which are the most common components drawn through this method.
  
• In the human body, platelets are the first step in the clotting process.
  
• Apheresis donors give about 10% of their platelets, with no loss in clotting ability.
  
• Bone marrow transplant, cancer, and leukemia patients benefit significantly from platelets, which greatly reduce the chances of rejection.
  
• It takes about two hours to collect enough platelets to help bone marrow transplant, cancer, and leukemia patients.
  
• Donors with high platelet counts often are able to donate two units of platelets in one visit.
  
• The collection bags, tubing and needles are all sterile, and used for one donation only. The donor's blood never comes in direct contact with the machine.
  
• Individuals can donate platelets frequently (every 48 hours) because platelets are rapidly replaced, usually within one day.
  
• Once collected, platelets must be transfused within five days or be discarded.
  
• On average, leukemia patients require more than 20 platelet transfusions over a six-month period.
  
• Many critically ill patients require tissue-typed platelets (HLA matches). Regular donors are typed and used to meet these needs. The chance for an exact patient-donor match is 1 in 20,000. HLA-typed donors are encouraged to join the National Bone Marrow Registry. To learn more about HLA Typing and about how easy it is to help critically ill patients nationally and locally, click here.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Which donation is needed most often, platelets or whole blood?
Both are always needed. The rarest blood type and blood component is the one that's not available when a patient needs it. Our staff can advise you of the need when you register to donate.

If I donate platelets, when can I give whole blood?
You only have to wait 48 hours before you can give whole blood after donating platelets since very few red blood cells (approximately 32 milliliters) are lost during a platelet donation. However, if you donate whole blood first, you must wait 56 days before you can donate platelets or any other blood product due to the fact that you lose approximately 200 milliliters of red blood cells during whole blood donations.

Does it hurt?
You may feel an initial pinch or sting with the needle, but you should not feel discomfort during the donation. Some donors experience tingling during the donation, but increasing calcium in your diet prior to donating helps alleviate this symptom.

Is there a chance of contracting a disease from the equipment?
No! A disposable, sterile donation kit is used for each donor. The tubing and needles are disposed of after each donation.

How long does it take?
The actual platelet donation time takes between 1½ to 2 hours. This depends on the donor's platelet count, and total blood volume.

What will I do during my donation?
Most donors watch videos (we have over 200 to choose from). Others prefer to listen to music, look out the window, or just enjoy the company of our friendly, professional staff.

How will I feel after I donate?
You will feel great about giving others a fighting chance at life. Physicially, you should feel perfectly fine. Only a small percentage of your platelets are collected, and are replaced within 24 hours. You should not feel tired or lightheaded since you loose such a small amount of red blood cells. Try to avoid strenuous exercise or lifting after donating.