For Immediate Release
July 6, 2005

A Golden Opportunity for the Summertime

BUFFALO, NY – The Plateletpheresis Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is asking individuals to donate blood platelets for cancer patients this summer.

“The demand for blood platelets is enormous and summer is the most difficult time to recruit donors,” said Joanne Becker, MD, RPCI Medical Director of the Blood Bank and Therapeutic Apheresis Unit. “We are grateful for every donation because platelets are critically important to patients undergoing intensive cancer treatments.”

Platelets are the smallest component of blood and allow blood to clot. Many cancer treatments reduce the blood platelets levels in patients, putting them at increased risk of bleeding. Platelets cannot be manufactured; they must be donated.

Donors must be 17 years-of-age and weigh more than 110 pounds and be willing to commit two hours to complete the donation. They cannot have donated blood in the past eight weeks and/or received a tattoo or acupuncture in the past 12 months. 

For more information on donating platelets, call (716)845-8275 or email givelife@roswellpark.org.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center, and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York.  RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers.  For more information, visit the RPCI website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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