Help Save A Life At The Wanamassa EMS Blood & Platelet Drive
Blood, perhaps the most important thing in your body. Blood is needed to save lives every day, and blood donations are always in demand across the country. Now you can…
Blood, perhaps the most important thing in your body. Blood is needed to save lives every day, and blood donations are always in demand across the country. Now you can be a part of a blood and blood platelet drive right here at the Jersey Shore.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Wanamassa EMS is holding a blood and platelet drive this Wednesday, the first day of May! The event will be held at the Wanamassa First Aid and Fire Department building, located at 1401 Wickapecko Drive in the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township. The event runs from 11 am until 5 pm, and all are welcomed and encouraged to donate.
(Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)
What Are Blood Platelets?
According to the Red Cross, Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small, colorless cell fragments in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding. Platelets are made in our bone marrow, the sponge-like tissue inside our bones. Bone marrow contains stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Furthermore, platelets control bleeding in our bodies, so they can be essential to surviving surgeries such as organ transplants, as well as fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Donor platelets are given to patients who don’t have enough of their own, a condition known as thrombocytopenia, or when a person’s platelets aren’t working correctly. Raising the patient’s blood platelet count reduces the risk of dangerous or even fatal bleeding.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
How Do I Donate Platelets?
In a platelet-only donation, blood is drawn from your arm into a machine. The platelets are separated from the other blood components, which are returned to you through your other arm. This cycle repeats several times. Using this process, one donor can contribute what would normally be obtained from up to five whole blood donations – an amount that can help as many as three people. Wow! That is amazing.
You know what else is pretty amazing? If you are generous enough, and end up donating at the Wanamassa Blood & Platelet Drive, you will receive a 5-dollar Wawa or Starbucks gift card!
You can register to donate at rwjuhdonorclub.org
For more info, email wanamassaemsassociation@gmail.com or call 732-455-0747.
