Exemplary apheresis blood donors are honored at a ceremony organized by the Shanghai Blood Center on March 16. [Photo/chinanews.com]

The Shanghai Blood Center collected 80,820 units of apheresis platelets, known as single donor platelets, in 2023, making significant contributions to the treatment of leukemia and other malignancies, announced the center on March 16. The center is the only one in the city responsible for blood donations and distribution.

Last year, 2,388 individuals donated apheresis platelets in the city, with 116 donating over 200 units, 33 donating over 300 units, and 14 donating over 400 units, the center said during a commemoration event that honored over 100 long-term donors, university representatives, and organizations for their contributions to blood donations.

Shan Ming, a bus company dispatcher in Shanghai who has donated 506 units of apheresis platelets over 14 years, was one of the exemplary donors honored at the ceremony.

Blood contains several components, including red cells, platelets, and plasma. While one can choose to give whole blood donations, apheresis donations allow only platelets, double red blood cells, or plasma. During the process, the donor is connected to a machine that collects and separates the blood's components and returns unused components to the donor.

In comparison with a whole blood donation, apheresis collection of plasma and platelets allows people to donate more frequently than whole blood donation because the body replaces platelets and plasma more quickly than red cells.

In 2002, the Shanghai Blood Center began introducing apheresis blood donations, focusing mainly on apheresis collection of platelets for the treatment of leukemia and other malignancies. While apheresis blood donations in Shanghai have since been on a steady rise, the center also emphasized the high demand for apheresis platelets in the city at the ceremony, calling for continuous donations.

Source: chinanews.com