A OneBlood blood drive scheduled for Wednesday, July 6 outside Venice City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will also accept platelets. The same incentives (free T-shirt and eGift Card) will be offered to platelet donors.

OneBlood officials encourage all City employees and members of the public who feel well to come out and donate the “gift of life” aboard the Big Red Bus to ensure that blood is available for those patients who need it. Note: It must be 56 days since your last whole blood donation.

Here are a few facts about platelet donation:

• What is a platelet donation? Platelet donation is a little different than a regular whole blood donation. Platelet donations are done through a process called automation, which allows OneBlood to only collect your platelets, and not your red blood cells or plasma like what would be done for a whole blood donation. The amount of time it takes to donate platelets depends on a donor’s height, weight, and if they are donating doing a single or double arm procedure. 
• Platelets hold a unique power to save lives. Cancer patients are a primary recipient of platelets due to the harsh effects of chemotherapy. Platelets are in high demand by area hospitals and must be used with 5 days of donation. The turn-around is that fast, the need is constant.
• Where can I donate platelets? Platelets can be donated in some areas on Big Red Platelet Buses. Appointments are recommended for the buses. OneBlood Big Red Platelet Buses are specially designed with donating platelets in mind. Unlike the traditional Big Red Bus, the chairs on this bus run horizontal, allowing each donor to face their own entertainment screen. This makes it the perfect place to set back, relax, and donate platelets.
• Are there any additional requirements to donate platelets? The requirements to donate platelets and whole blood are the same, except platelet donors cannot take aspirin within 48 hours of their donation. Platelets can be donated every 7 days.

Donating blood is safe. COVID-19 does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. 

Each donor will receive a free limited edition T-shirt and $20 eGift Card, along with a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening, and a snack.

ID required please. Appointments are encouraged. 

To schedule an appointment for whole blood donations: https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1196932

To schedule an appointment for platelet donations: https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1236242