As a blood donor, your blood type plays a key role in helping you target the best way for you to donate your powerful lifesaving gift.

If you are considering donating platelets, first it’s important to understand what platelets are and if this is the right donation method for your blood type.

What are platelets?

Platelets are the tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. When you get a cut, your blood vessels send out a message to your platelets. The platelets then bind together to create a clot and prevent further blood loss.

For millions of Americans, platelet donations are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds, someone needs platelets.

“Platelet donors helped me deliver my baby at only 29 weeks and saved my life.”

Read Dalissia’s Story

Why are some blood types better for platelet donations?

People with O+, A+, and B+ blood types should consider donating platelets for optimum compatibility with the largest number of recipients.

Platelets from AB- donors can be given to patients with any blood type. Platelets from AB+ donors can be given to patients with AB+, O+, A+, and B+ blood types. Two of the rarest blood types, only 1% of the population has AB- blood and only 3% has AB+ blood. Because platelets from AB- and AB+ blood are compatible with so many blood types, donors with these rare blood types should strongly consider donating platelets!

However, O-negative donors are strongly discouraged from giving platelets. O-negative is the universal blood type for red cells. O- donors should always give either whole blood or double red blood cells. The red blood cells from O- blood can be transfused into any patient needing blood. That’s why emergency rooms use O- blood in trauma situations when the patient’s blood type is unknown.

What does the platelet donation process look like?

During a platelet donation, we only collect your platelets, returning the rest. This specialized donation process is known as automation or apheresis.

Platelet donors can donate platelets every seven days, and we recommend every 14 days. You can give up to 24 times a year.

Donating platelets usually takes three hours, with the donation itself typically lasting around 1.5 hours.

Plus, platelet donors are automatically entered into the Platelet Challenge. Earn up to $260 in eGift Card rewards with every challenge!

Ready to donate platelets?

Call our dedicated platelet line to speak to a OneBlood specialist and learn more about becoming a platelet donor. They are available Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM at 727-568-5436.

Appointments are highly recommended for platelet donations. Find a OneBlood location near you to schedule your donation!