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What are Platelets?
Platelets help stop bleeding and can help people with cancer.
Platelets are cells in your blood which help it clot and stop bleeding. Platelet transfusions can help people with cancer and people who’ve lost a lot of blood after an accident, organ transplant or surgery.
Over 20,000 platelet transfusions are needed every year in Ireland for the treatment of patients with cancer, leukaemia, premature babies, major surgery, burns patients, accident victims who have had extensive injury and new born babies.
However, platelets have the shortest shelf life of all blood components, lasting only 7 days. This means we have a constant need for platelet donors to ensure we meet the needs of these patients.
Right now there is a need for new platelet donors.
We need people with all blood types to step forward and donate platelets to help people with cancer. Over 24,000 platelet transfusions are needed every year in Ireland. We need every blood group, every single day. Many of Ireland's patients rely on platelets, so it is important supplies are constantly replenished. Platelets are essential to enable blood to clot properly and are a component of blood.
Can I give platelets?
To find out if you are able to donate platelets take our eligibility quiz
You can also call 432 2833 (Dublin) 021 480 7429 (Cork) to speak to one of our staff about giving platelets.
