Blood center needs donors for platelets and plasma

Shepeard Community Blood Center's slogan, "one donation saves three local lives," is well known in the area.

"The reason we say that is because from that (whole-blood) donation, they get out plasma, platelets, as well as red blood cells," said Vanessa Childs, the special donations coordinator. "In special donations, we are targeting just platelets and plasma."

The platelets and plasma collected from special donations are earmarked for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, and for burn patients, she said.

To increase awareness of the program, the blood center has joined with the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River Council, during their cookie sales.

"They are being called Shepeard's blood buddies. They will do everything as normal with selling cookies," Ms. Childs said. "When they sell cookies and deliver them to their customer, the customer will also receive our Try It Once card, which is an invitation for that customer to call in and get more information on our special-donations program or to set up an appointment to donate."

Girl Scouts in seventh grade and up are competing to get the most donations, with the winner getting a pizza party for her troop in May. Girl Scouts in sixth grade and younger are competing for a troop lock-in slumber party in May.

Ms. Childs hopes the partnership will bring in more donors.

"We have about 100 donors that kind of carry us. Platelets have a shelf life of five to seven days, so we always have to have more coming in," she said. "We always need more donors."

Donors for the special donations program must meet the same qualifications as those giving whole blood, Ms. Childs said.

Donors must be at least 16 years old and have parental consent in Georgia, or at least 17 years old in South Carolina; weigh 110 pounds, be in good health; and present an ID card such as a driver's license or donor card.

For more information on the blood center's special donations program, log on to www.shepeardblood.org.