Need for donation of platelet cells

Shanghai residents are being encouraged to donate platelet cells, as authorities try to raise awareness of this little known need.

Platelet cells are useful for treating a range of conditions, such as leukemia and excessive blood loss. Platelet donation is a relatively new way of donating blood. One of its advantages is that a small amount can be used to treat several patients.

During the platelet donation, the platelets, an important component of blood which plays a critical role in the clotting process, are kept through a special process called apheresis while the rest of the blood is put back into the donor's body.