Donating Platelets | Brigham and Women鈥檚 Hospital

Platelet Donation

Platelets act as the body’s natural bandages, allowing blood to clot and helping wounds heal.

Many patients — especially those with cancer (such as leukemia and lymphoma), bone marrow or stem cell transplants, trauma injuries, and premature babies in the NICU — are at serious risk because their blood doesn’t clot properly. They need platelet transfusions to control their bleeding.

Unlike whole blood, platelets have a shelf life of just five days. We rely on regular donations to keep up with patient needs.

Our Location:

Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Jimmy Fund Building
35 Binney Street
1st Floor
Boston, MA 02115

Make an Appointment

Call: 617-632-3206
Email: BloodDonor@partners.org

Appointment Hours:

Monday: 7 am to 3 pm
Tuesday: 6:45 am to 6 pm
Wednesday: 9 am to 3 pm
Thursday: 6:45 am to 6 pm
Friday: 6:45 am to 3 pm
Saturday: 7 am to 12:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Am I Eligible to Donate Platelets?

To donate platelets, you must be:

At least 17 years old
110 pounds or more
In good health

Other Requirements

Antibiotics – Be 72 hours symptom-free before donating
Dental work – Wait 48 hours after cleanings or procedures.
Aspirin-containing medications (Anacin, Excedrin, Feldene) – Avoid for 48 hours before donating.
Ibuprofen or NSAIDs (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) – Avoid for 24 hours before donating.
Recent travel outside the USA — If you traveled to a Zika-risk area in the past 28 days, please wait to donate. If you traveled within the last 12 months, contact the Kraft Center with details.
Living outside the USA — If you lived outside the U.S. for five years or more, contact the donor center.
Tattoos and piercings – If done in a state-regulated facility and fully healed, you are eligible to donate 3 months following the tattoo appointment.
Female donors with prior pregnancies – Platelet and plasma donors must test negative for HLA antibodies before donating.

What to Expect When Donating Platelets

A platelet donation appointment takes about two hours. Here’s what to expect:

Check-in — Show a valid photo ID
Health screening — Complete a confidential questionnaire about your medical and travel history to confirm eligibility. A staff member will go over your screening questionnaire with you in an exam room.
Mini check-up — We’ll take your temperature and blood pressure to confirm eligibility.
Donation — You will move to a comfortable chair in the main donation area. A sterile, single-use kit is used for every donation. During the collection process, your platelets are separated, and your red cells and plasma are safely returned to you. The donation itself takes about 90 minutes. You can lay back and relax, read a book or magazine, watch a TV show or movie from our multimedia library, or browse the Internet with free WiFi.
Rest and refreshments — Relax for a few minutes and enjoy snacks and drinks before leaving.

In this video, learn what to expect when donating blood or platelets.

Platelet Donation FAQs

Does my blood type matter?

If you have blood type AB, your platelets are especially valuable to certain patients. However, all blood types are always needed and welcomed!

How should I prepare for my platelet donation?

Eat a nutritious meal before donating, particularly calcium-rich foods.
Make sure you are well-hydrated. Try to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water the day before and the day of your donation.
Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment.

Does donating platelets hurt? Will it make me feel sleepy?

Most people only feel a slight pinch from the needle. Because you get your red blood cells back, you’re likely to feel less tired compared to a whole blood donation. Many donors report feeling great after donating knowing they helped patients in need!

What should I do after donating?

Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice) to stay hydrated.
Eat nutritious meals and snack as needed.

How often can I donate platelets?

As long as you are healthy and continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you can safely donate every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Many donors schedule regular appointments every other week.

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