Blood Bank Department at King Abdulaziz hospital in Al-Ahsa honored 50 blood donors of 2011 during a ceremony held on this occasion which was launched by the Deputy Executive Regional Director of Medical Affairs Dr. Tarik Khashoggi.
Statistics indicate the increasing number of donors from year to year since the launching of this project in 2008 until the end of 2011, and this reflects the level of the donors’ awareness. Although the process of donating blood platelets lasts for one to two hours, the number of donors increased from 35 in 2008 to 303 donors. "
Dr. Khashoggi said: "donating blood platelets is highly important especially for medical cases where the transfer of blood can literally save the patient’s life as cancer patients need around 30 units and more as well as organ and bone marrow transplant patients need around 120 units, and others like trauma and burn patients need around 120 units. "
Dr. Nadia Al hawashim - Chaiman of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Eastern Region said: “These donors offer blood platelets, which can be donated 24 times per year. Mr. Ismail Abdul Razzaq Albouhsn and Mr. Abdulziz al-Obaid have donated 21 times during 2011.”
Blood platelets Donation is a very particular process, it requires great patience. Dr. Nadia also commenting on the misconception that platelets donation is considered risky as it decreases the body immunity:” this is not true at all, on the contrary, platelets donation purifies and filters the blood and reduces the fat”.