Platelet Donation
Discussion
Not sure if this is the right place to put this.
I have been a Platelet Donor for a number of years and want to start doing some sporting charity events for a related charity. Will give my motoviation a boost to know I am working towards a good cause!
Can anyone identify any particular charity which relies heavily on Platelet Donation? Lieukaemia (sp?) I suppose is a major one, but I'm sure someone more knowledgable will be able to suggest alternatives...
The Blood Bikes, etc could be another...?
TIA!
I have been a Platelet Donor for a number of years and want to start doing some sporting charity events for a related charity. Will give my motoviation a boost to know I am working towards a good cause!
Can anyone identify any particular charity which relies heavily on Platelet Donation? Lieukaemia (sp?) I suppose is a major one, but I'm sure someone more knowledgable will be able to suggest alternatives...
The Blood Bikes, etc could be another...?
TIA!
Platelets are needed when you have a large volume transfusion, ie more then 5 or 6 units. This happens in emergencies, rather than planned transfusions after surgery or in ill health.
To be honest, it's only hospitals that use platelets in any volume, and in cases of overwhelming haemorrhage therein.
Don't know if that helps. You should have a very big sense of pride of you donate platelets, they are very very useful when the floor is claret coloured (not by my hand)
To be honest, it's only hospitals that use platelets in any volume, and in cases of overwhelming haemorrhage therein.
Don't know if that helps. You should have a very big sense of pride of you donate platelets, they are very very useful when the floor is claret coloured (not by my hand)
I know nothing about this charity but on searching thrombocytopenia charity on google it was the first to be shown
http://www.itpsupport.org.uk/
http://www.itpsupport.org.uk/
Thank you both. I will have an investigation into Thrombocyto-wotsits.
Doc - I don't feel a sense of pride as such, just the knowledge that I'm 'doing my bit'. I am priveleged to be O-neg, and therefore a pretty much universal donor, and to be honest an hour or so every fortnight plugged into a washing machine, in a nice quiet room with friendly company, endless tea and biscuits and the chance to catch-up on my book cannot be described as any hardship really can it?
Interestingly, I was under the impression that Platelets were more commonly used in planned transfusions for some Cancers, etc rather than in a Trauma situation...
Again, please keep throwing charities at me. My training needs a boost and the right cause would give me a target to work towards, I just want it to be related to what I already do.
Doc - I don't feel a sense of pride as such, just the knowledge that I'm 'doing my bit'. I am priveleged to be O-neg, and therefore a pretty much universal donor, and to be honest an hour or so every fortnight plugged into a washing machine, in a nice quiet room with friendly company, endless tea and biscuits and the chance to catch-up on my book cannot be described as any hardship really can it?
Interestingly, I was under the impression that Platelets were more commonly used in planned transfusions for some Cancers, etc rather than in a Trauma situation...
Again, please keep throwing charities at me. My training needs a boost and the right cause would give me a target to work towards, I just want it to be related to what I already do.
Speaking from a personal level, can I just say thank you.
My dad was diagnosed with anaemia about 12 years ago. He had to have an operation just over ten years ago. His blood counts and platelets were that low he had to have tranfusions in order to have the surgery and to give him a chance to heal
Subsequent investigation found the anaemia to actually be Hairy Cell Leaukaemia. Local hospital had never seen it before, and only twice since!
Thanks to people like you he was fit enough to undergo chemo and recover from his operation (and a further one since) as well as could be expected
65 next month. 10 years in remission this year
My dad was diagnosed with anaemia about 12 years ago. He had to have an operation just over ten years ago. His blood counts and platelets were that low he had to have tranfusions in order to have the surgery and to give him a chance to heal
Subsequent investigation found the anaemia to actually be Hairy Cell Leaukaemia. Local hospital had never seen it before, and only twice since!
Thanks to people like you he was fit enough to undergo chemo and recover from his operation (and a further one since) as well as could be expected
65 next month. 10 years in remission this year
OK - now I feel a sense of pride...
Is there a particular charity which supported him during his treatment?
I can see that this thread may begin to look like an attempt at self-glorification on my part, but please understand that donating platelets really is no hardship and something that a large proportion of the general population can do if they have a couple of hours to spare every month or so. Unlike whole blood donations it needs to be done at a Donor Centre rather than a local venue as the blood is spun-up in a centrifuge (habit dictates I always refer to this as a washing machine) to remove the platelets, and you get the rest of it back. There are a large number of centres throughout the UK.
NHSBT are always on the look out for platelet donors and I urge you to find out more if you are even slightly interested. I'm not sure if I can post links to other websites on here, but if you google "nhs platelet donation" it will take you to the Blood website which is a mine of information. If you are already a blood donor, just ask at your next session and they can take a sample for analysis to see if your platelet count is sufficient to make you a suitable candidate. This is how I got into it.
If you have any questions about Platelet Donation, please ask. I am not a medical professional, just an ordinary chap, but I will try to answer if I can.
...
There... Now it looks like a recruitment drive!
Is there a particular charity which supported him during his treatment?
I can see that this thread may begin to look like an attempt at self-glorification on my part, but please understand that donating platelets really is no hardship and something that a large proportion of the general population can do if they have a couple of hours to spare every month or so. Unlike whole blood donations it needs to be done at a Donor Centre rather than a local venue as the blood is spun-up in a centrifuge (habit dictates I always refer to this as a washing machine) to remove the platelets, and you get the rest of it back. There are a large number of centres throughout the UK.
NHSBT are always on the look out for platelet donors and I urge you to find out more if you are even slightly interested. I'm not sure if I can post links to other websites on here, but if you google "nhs platelet donation" it will take you to the Blood website which is a mine of information. If you are already a blood donor, just ask at your next session and they can take a sample for analysis to see if your platelet count is sufficient to make you a suitable candidate. This is how I got into it.
If you have any questions about Platelet Donation, please ask. I am not a medical professional, just an ordinary chap, but I will try to answer if I can.
...
There... Now it looks like a recruitment drive!
Haematology patients require platelets post chemotherapy to prevent and treat bleeding- particularly patients with acute leukaemia and all patients post bone marrow transplant.
Leukaemia and lymphoma research
Myeloma foundation
May be starters for you
Donating platelets can be a real life saver for our patients so well done for doing this!!
Leukaemia and lymphoma research
Myeloma foundation
May be starters for you
Donating platelets can be a real life saver for our patients so well done for doing this!!
In answer to your question he did not have any dealings with any of the charities as such, as he was diagnosed and it was beaten by a single week of chemo rather than being long and drawn out.
I was looking at doing the three peaks this summer for leaukaemia and lymphoma research but have just been diagnosed with arthritis in both ankles and told not to by doctors (plan to lose weight and do it next year whether he likes it or not
)
Looks like I have something else to look up so that I can give a bit back. Pity I didn't think of doing it before really.
Until my dad got ill I had never even heard of platelets so any form of advertising is a good thing
I was looking at doing the three peaks this summer for leaukaemia and lymphoma research but have just been diagnosed with arthritis in both ankles and told not to by doctors (plan to lose weight and do it next year whether he likes it or not
)Looks like I have something else to look up so that I can give a bit back. Pity I didn't think of doing it before really.
Until my dad got ill I had never even heard of platelets so any form of advertising is a good thing
OK...
So its looking like Leaukaemia & Lymphoma Research or Children with Cancer. They appear to organise their own events but I'm afraid I do not agree with these "travel halfway round the world and walk around Everest (or somesuch) but the cost comes out of your sponsorship"-type deals. This is only my personal opinion and feel free to flame me, but I'm of the opinion that if you are doing an event for charity, all proceeds should go to that charity and not help pay for your holiday.
The above in mind I plan to enter an Off-Road Duathlon privately and arrange my own sponsorship to then donate on completion.
Final question...
... anyone care to join me?
So its looking like Leaukaemia & Lymphoma Research or Children with Cancer. They appear to organise their own events but I'm afraid I do not agree with these "travel halfway round the world and walk around Everest (or somesuch) but the cost comes out of your sponsorship"-type deals. This is only my personal opinion and feel free to flame me, but I'm of the opinion that if you are doing an event for charity, all proceeds should go to that charity and not help pay for your holiday.
The above in mind I plan to enter an Off-Road Duathlon privately and arrange my own sponsorship to then donate on completion.
Final question...
... anyone care to join me?
Edited by PoshTwit on Wednesday 13th June 12:55
Totally agree with you re 'sponsored holidays'. I've entered the ballot for the 2013 London Marathon and have been dismayed at the level of commercialism that seems to go with it on the sponsorship side. I'd join you on your duathlon but think it may be beyond me. One month into a thrice-weekly running regime I can just about manage a 2-mile run without stopping - a long way to go before any duathlons I fear. Good luck with it.
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