Donors needed: BloodCenter of Wisconsin has urgent need for platelet donations

MILWAUKEE -- BloodCenter of Wisconsin has identified an urgent need for platelet donors.

BloodCenter officials say their platelet appointments through this weekend (May 6-9) are below normal. That means donations are below those necessary to ensure they can fulfill the need for all of the hospitals they serve, who will be in need next week.

Officials say it is very important to have a full roster of platelet appointments on weekends because platelets are only usable for five days after donation, so maintaining an adequate supply is an ongoing challenge.

Platelets help blood to clot and are needed by many different patients, including:

A donor can donate platelets every two weeks.  Platelets will return to normal levels within a few hours of donating.

Three area donor centers are open Sunday, May 8, for platelet donations:  Milwaukee:  638 N. 18th Street;   Wauwatosa:  8733 Watertown Plank Rd.;   Greenfield:  7210 W. Edgerton.

Hours vary at each center.  Please call 1-877-BE-A-HERO (1-877-232-4376) or visit www.bcw.edu/appt to make an appointment.