PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Blood Center is asking for help since they are still dangerously low on blood donations, particularly platelets.

These platelets are liquid gold running through our veins, according to the RIBC, and while everyone who donates is a superhero, platelet donors are extra special.

Founder of Platelets Across America 87-year-old Al Whitney has donated platelets in every state across the country twice already and is now doing it for the third time.

“You’re not donating blood, you’re donating life,” he said

Whitney started his lifesaving journey nearly 60 years ago in Ohio with his first blood donation. Since then, he has organized hundreds of blood drives, donated five gallons of whole blood, and more than 1,000 units of platelets across the country.

He will be in Rhode Island on Tuesday.

“I think it just shows how easy blood donation is, I mean he is a superstar in that he is donating platelets in all 50 states,” RIBC Marketing and Communications Manager Caitlin Grimaldi-Flick said. “It’s really easy and I just encourage everyone to follow in Al’s footsteps and be a superhero to those in our community who need this life-saving product.”

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. They are used to treat cancer patients, trauma patients, and people with bleeding disorders.

The donation process is longer than most and can take up to two hours. As you are pumping blood, a machine separates the platelets and sends the red cells back into your veins.

“It’s still trauma season so we are seeing that increased need, the Labor Day holiday is right around the corner which also means back to school is right around the corner so families are getting busy with getting those last-minute vacations, but also getting ready for school so blood donation is not necessarily top of mind,” Grimaldi-Flick said. “So we really still need everybody to come out whether it’s whole blood or platelet donors.”

To make an appointment or learn more about donating blood you can call (401) 453 8383 or visit ribc.org .

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