Eye on Health: The importance  of platelet donations

KAPLAN, La. ( KLFY ) — For Platelet Awareness Month, Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Center is educating the community about the importance of platelet donors and the people who rely on those donations.

Suzy Picard, a supervisor at the blood center, said platelets are important because they are blood cells that help with the clotting process.

“If you don’t have enough platelets, then you know bleeding can continue to occur and it doesn’t stop like it should,” Picard said.

She explained that trauma patients and patients who undergo chemotherapy are a few examples of patients who need platelets.

Platelet donations are used every day, she said, but the shelf life of that supply is short. Platelet donations are only good for five days.

Trey Harrington, a patient diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, said one unit of platelets could help save somebody’s life. His condition disrupts the production of blood cells, meaning he has to get platelet transfusions.

“I don’t make platelets. So, as of now, from January until now, I’ve had 25 transfusions to replace my platelets, to assist my body in fighting off infections and not getting sick,” he said.

“Some days are better than others. Any time my platelets are too low or my blood level drops too low from the chemo treatment. Then you get dizzy and get nauseous. Can’t walk to the mailbox, can’t get on your chair. Pretty much. Random nosebleeds and it’s uncontrollable because you don’t have platelets so your blood doesn’t clot,” he said.

A person can donate 24 times a year. Harrington and Picard stress the need for more people to donate to save people’s lives.

Harrington said sometimes when he is at the infusion center, he has to wait for platelets to be brought in from places like Baton Rouge or New Orleans because of a shortage in Lafayette.

“Until I get a bone marrow transplant we will stay this course and I’ll continue to do chemo every month, which in turn drops your platelets, your blood, and everything. So pretty much once a week I get platelets,” he said.

Helping Harrington’s family

A Family Fun Day will be held on Sept. 14 to help Harrington’s family of three pay for expenses including treatments, hospital bills, and personal bills. Harrington said he has been out of work since March while undergoing treatment.

The event will be from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Clement Park in Kaplan. The day will include live auctions, live music, fun jumps, and games for kids.

People can also donate platelets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Center bus. If you can’t make the event but would like to donate, call Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Donor Center to schedule an appointment to donate platelets at 337.470.GIVE (4483).

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