ABC Blood Center
123 Anystreet
Anytown, USA 12345-6789
[Center Contact Name Here]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Blood Bank Celebrates National Platelet Donor Recruitment Week

Anytown, USA September 20th 1998--Think back to your childhood. You probably had a hero, right? Maybe it was a movie star, a famous athlete or a favorite teacher. But many children and adults in Anytown have a very different kind of hero. These heros save their lives every day. They're called platelet donors.

Platelets are a part of the blood, and platelets donated by healthy, human volunteers are vital in the supportive care of patients who are undergoing treatments for Cancer, Aplastic Anemia, Leukemia and other medical conditions. Platelets given to these patients in the form of a transfusion aid their blood in clotting, and prevent the life threatening episodes of bleeding that can occur.

If you've ever given whole blood before, you're probably a good candidate to become a platelet donor. However, even if you've never donated blood before, you still have the opportunity to become a real life hero. The primary difference between whole blood and platelet donation is that donating platelets takes a bit longer. Your blood is filtered through a special machine that removes the platelets, and returns the rest of your blood components (red blood cells and plasma) back to your body. This process is called plasmapheresis. Your body is able to replace the platelets you've donated in just a few days. Many platelet donors report a very deep sense of personal satisfaction, that a small investment of their time gives them the opportunity to save another persons life. They are heros in the truest sense of the word.

Between September 20th and 26th, the National Platelet Association and your local blood bank are sponsoring National Platelet Donor Recruitment Week. If you'd like to become a platelet donor, or just learn more about the process, contact your local blood bank [at 111-1111]. They'll be happy to help you learn more.

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