Orlando, Florida
Scott McKenzie is a 23 year veteran of morning radio. His morning show is filled with fun and laughter, but behind the scenes, his fight with cancer has been serious. He is battling cancer for the third time.
“I went from an all clear in February to a you have to go to the hospital tomorrow and start chemo immediately because you are in trouble,” said Scott.
Scott’s life was literally sustained by donors who give platelets.
“I had never even seen platelets before. I didn’t know what they looked like. Once in a while your body, especially the chemo patients, need to have their blood counts brought up and platelets are crucial because it is your clotting factor.”
Platelets are in high demand by hospitals since they have a shelf-life of only five days and often help cancer patients like Scott, undergoing the harsh effects of chemotherapy.
Platelets are usually transfused within two to three days after the donation. Because platelets have a quick turn-around, the days platelet donations are needed are key to getting them to the arms of patients at the right time. The best days to donate platelets are Friday through Monday to meet hospital needs.
Scott and many other cancer patients depend on regular donations during their cancer treatments. People with A+, B+, AB-, and AB+ blood types should target their type by donating platelets since their platelets hold the most power.
“You never know until you are in the inside how much blood is needed and how much of it is going out. It needs to be replenished on a constant basis. All of a sudden, I’m in the chair, and all of a sudden, blood is needed, and I can’t even imagine what if it wasn’t there, what would happen.”
