Donating platelets in Pontyclun

Did you know that one platelet donation can help save up to three adult or 12 babies’ lives?

Donating platelets is so important as the cells help to stop bleeding. Platelets are also essential for helping patients fight chronic diseases, cancers and recover from traumatic injuries.

What are platelets?

Platelets are a component of blood. They are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and are extremely helpful for preventing patients from bleeding and bruising.

Platelets last a maximum of just seven days, so we need a steady and continuous supply from generous platelet donors to keep hospitals supplied with these vital donations for patients in need.

How donating platelets work

Donating platelets take up to 90 minutes, giving you a chance to sit back, relax, read or watch TV before going about your day again.

When donating platelets, blood is drawn through a needle and transferred to a specialist machine. The machine separates the platelets from your blood before returning the blood safely back to you, helping you to recover quicker and donate more often than blood donors. As a platelet donor you can donate every three weeks.

Can I donate platelets in Pontyclun?

We ask for anyone who meets the criteria for giving blood to see if it’s possible to donate platelets too.

You must be between the ages of 17 and 66, healthy, weigh between 9 and 23 stone and not subject to any medical exclusions to donate platelets.

If you meet the above criteria and the standard eligibility criteria, enrol online today for an assessment to see if you can donate platelets.

A member of our specialist team will check your eligibility and ensure your veins are suitable (as the equipment used to collect platelets is different to giving blood).