Platelet Donations Save Lives

Six Year old Maddison Bunt, was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) when she was just three years old.

“Maddison came up in bruises everywhere and it just happened overnight,” Sally Bunt Maddison’s 60 year old grandmother told the Plymouth Herald.

“She was also covered in blood blisters. We thought she had meningitis and panicked. We had to call an ambulance in the middle of the night and when she got to hospital they found that Maddison’s platelet count was down to zero, which the doctors said was basically unheard of. They said she was bleeding internally, from practically everywhere.”

Maddison’s family believes that she wouldn’t be here today if she hadn’t received a life-saving platelet transfusion and they are trying to raise awareness of the need.

“Platelets save lives and we know from first-hand experience. If Maddison hadn’t had a platelet transfusion that night she wouldn’t be here today. We thought she was going to die,” the matriarch continued.

Just over 5 of every 100,000 children are diagnosed with ITP each year and nearly 10 of every 100,000 adults are living with ITP at any given time according to the Platelet Disorders Support Association and while not all of these cases will require a platelet transfusion the need for platelets on hand is always great – especially during the holiday season.

“Hospital patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood and platelets,” Steve Mavica, spokesman for the Connecticut Blood Services Region told The Middletown Press. “The closer we get to the major holiday week, the more we see donations decline. People are busy with gift shopping, holiday parties and there is an overall sense of distraction. We need donors to come in and give before they get too busy with other things.”

The Red Cross’ website says that one platelet donation can be worth up to 18 whole blood donations and offers these facts about platelet donations:

• A platelet donation is also called a “platelet apheresis” or “platelet pheresis” donation
• Donors should not take any aspirin or products containing aspirin 48 hours before donation.  State regulations in New York require up to 3 days prior.
• You can donate up to 24 times per year.
• Plasma can be collected simultaneously with a platelet donation.  Plasma can be collected every 28 days up to 13 times per year.
• The donation takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and may be a single or dual arm procedure depending on the collection device used.
• If you are a platelet donor, you can still make regular whole blood or double red cell donations.  Both gifts are vitally important to patients with life threatening diseases.
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS for platelet donation opportunities at a local American Red Cross Blood Donation Center near you.

Maddison’s grandmother summed it up, “Giving platelets is certainly one of the best presents people can give this Christmas – and it doesn’t cost a penny.”

Photo Credit: Plymouth Herald

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