( The rise in the number of chemotherapy ...)Chemotherapy increases the demand for blood components,Health

The rise in the number of chemotherapy patients has increased the demand for blood components. Hence more people are requested to donate platelets.//

According to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), in the last 5 years, there is a 50% increase in the demand for blood components due to the growing number of new cancer cases. This need can be met by over 22,000 donations of platelets every year. The Irish hospitals receive nearly 90 units of platelets a day or 500 per week from the transfusion service, of which, 90% goes for cancer patient treatment.

At the launch of the life-saving platelet donation awareness campaign, Dr William Murphy, national medical director of the IBTS, said, “Platelets are an essential part of blood, enabling it to clot properly.”

There are two methods by which the service collects platelets, pooling and aphaeresis. In the former method, platelets are processed from whole blood. 4 whole blood donations are needed for one dose of platelets. The latter involves separation of platelets from the blood at the time of donation.

He said, “An aphaeresis donation collects the same amount of platelets as those pooled from eight to 12 whole blood donations. The IBTS is endeavouring to limit patients’ exposure to many donors; therefore collecting platelets through aphaeresis is preferable to provide the safest possible product for the patient.”

“The shelf-life of pooled platelets is also only five days and the shelf-life of aphaeresis platelets can be extended from five to seven days.

“At present, only approximately 40% of platelets supplied to Irish hospitals are collected by aphaeresis and it is the aim of the IBTS in association with the Irish Cancer Society to recruit about 2,000 new platelet donors in order to supply 100% aphaeresis platelets within the next three years. We urge the general public to seriously consider signing up as platelet
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Acupuncture May Help Chemotherapy Side Effects
2. Chemotherapy Pill Has Fewer Side Effects Than IV
3. Survival rates in breast cancer patients improved with "Dose Dense Chemotherapy"
4. Therapy Boosts Chemotherapy Effects
5. Chemotherapy Effective for Bladder Cancer
6. New Method Of Delivering Chemotherapy
7. The Benefits Of Chemotherapy For Women With Ovarian Cancer
8. New Compound Could Strengthen The Effect Of Chemotherapy
9. Older Breast Cancer Patients Can Be Effectively Treated With Chemotherapy
10. Treating Testicular Cancer With A Single Dose Of Chemotherapy
11. Ginger Found To Reduce Nausea Associated With Chemotherapy