About 3,000 platelet donations are needed each year to treat patients at the NIH Clinical Center. Platelets are the component in blood that help it to clot and prevent bleeding, allowing the body a chance to begin healing.
Platelets are only viable for seven days, making the need for them, and donors, constant.
The NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane is where we collect donor platelets, via a process called apheresis. Plateletpheresis is the standard procedure by which platelets are separated from whole blood, concentrated, and collected. To remove platelets, a needle is placed in each arm. Blood flows through a needle into a machine that contains a sterile, disposable plastic kit specifically designed for this purpose. The platelets are isolated and channeled out into a special bag, and red blood cells and other parts of the blood are returned to you through a needle in the opposite arm. There is also a plateletpheresis procedure that can be performed with a single needle.
In addition to standard donor eligibility requirements, platelet donors should refrain from taking aspirin for 48 hours prior to donation. View detailed description of donor criteria.
Time it Takes
Plateletpheresis procedures take about 90 minutes, however, you should allow two hours. This gives you just enough time to watch a movie from our extensive video library. Every effort will be made to make the experience relaxing and enjoyable.
Frequency
The interval between consecutive platelet donations at NIH is 1 month However, because the body replaces platelets within a few days, you are allowed to give more frequently when you are donating for a relative or for a patient who responds particularly well to your platelets.
Watch this video to learn more about the NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane in Rockville, MD, and find out how you can become a blood and platelet donor.
NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane
Platelet donation for the NIH Blood Bank takes place at the NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane in Rockville, MD.
NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane
Rm 1S02, MSC 9415
5625 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
Hours
- Monday – Thursday: 7:30 am - 3 pm
- Fridays: 7:15 am - noon
- *Saturdays: 7:30 am - 1 pm
We are open on Federal holidays and select Saturdays*.
To schedule a platelets donation appointment, please call (301) 496-4321 or email nihplatelets@cc.nih.gov.
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