THE South African National Blood Services is appealing for donors to come forward as it is in desperate need of platelets. Platelets are small colourless cell fragments circulating in the blood. They play a vital role in blood clotting and prevention of excessive blood loss.
When a blood vessel is injured, platelets collect to form a plug that stops the bleeding. These platelets are used daily by patients with leukaemia and other cancers and who are undergoing chemo or radiation therapy, bone marrow or organ transplants. Patients undergoing major surgery and those with aplastic anaemia also need platelets. South Coasters can donate at the SANBS clinic in the Shelly Centre.
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