FAQ's about the Lifesavers Club 2009

You are considering volunteering to offer the gift of life, a blood donation.  Do you know there is

another way for you to help patients with bone marrow transplants, cancer, leukemia and other

fatal blood disorders?  During treatment for their illness, these patients are susceptible to infection

and bleeding because malignant and healthy cells are destroyed.

Transfusion of platelets is needed to control these complications.  You may give these patients

a second chance by becoming an apheresis blood donor.

Q: What is apheresis?  Apheresis is the process of removing a specific component of the blood, such as

 platelets, and returning the remaining components, such as red blood cells and plasma, to the donor. 

 This process allows more of one particular part of the blood to be collected than could be separated

 from a unit of whole blood.

Q:  What happens during the procedure?  During an apheresis procedure, blood will be removed from

 the arm, as in a regular blood donation.  It will be channeled through sterile, single use tubing set to

 an automated system.  This automated system separates and collects the most needed components

 and then safely returns the remaining blood components back to you.  Depending on your platelet count

 and the amount of product taken, the process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Q:  How many times may I donate my platelets cells by apheresis?  Each of us has a supply of

 platelets in the blood, and as many as half can be lost without ill effects.  These components are replaced

 by the body within forty-eight hours.  This is why you may give platelets more often than whole blood. 

 (Whole blood collection is permissible only every eight weeks.)  Although Apheresis donors can give up

 to 24 times per year, we ask that you limit your donations to once every two weeks.

Q:  How do I join the Lifesavers Club?  Sign up today!  The more you give, the more you can get! 

 Ask staff for a Lifesavers Club Card.

Q:  What are the rewards and when do I get them?    The Lifesavers club is designed by levels; once

 a level is reached a gift will be ordered for you.  Please note the levels below and the rewards that go

 along with them.

            Level 1

Procedures 3             Premium Stadium Blanket (to arrive in July) will be ordered for you

Procedures 4             Quality Zip-up Hooded Sweatshirt (to arrive in October)

Level 2

Procedure 10              Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Level 3

Procedure 15              A $100.00 Hallmark Incentive Gift Certificate            (Non-transferable to cash)

l 4        Level 4

Procedure 20              A $300.00 Hallmark Incentive Gift Certificate            (Non-transferable to cash)

  Q:  Why do I need to fill out a card:  This card will allow us to order a hooded sweatshirt in your size,

  e-mail you with any questions and allow us to track your donations.  All information is confidential and

  will not be given to anyone outside of Heartland Blood Centers.

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