Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Platelet donors will help to fight cancer




To the Editor:

Most people probably know someone fighting cancer. But what they might not know is that cancer patients may be depending on platelets to get them through their treatment.

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries — and they only come from generous donors. 

About two million units of platelets are transfused each year in the U.S., with more than half of the platelets used in cancer treatments. Cancer patients often need platelet transfusions to prevent life-threatening bleeding during their treatments. Because platelets must be used within five days from the time they are donated, there is a constant, often critical, need for new and current donors to give to keep up with hospital demand. 

The National Cancer Institute reports that more than 1.6 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. By donating platelets, donors can play a direct role in helping cancer patients receive the lifesaving treatments needed to kick cancer. In fact, every 15 seconds someone in the U.S. needs platelets. 

On behalf of the Red Cross, I’m asking the community to help patients kick cancer by scheduling a platelet donation at the Red Cross Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Cancer or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to learn more and make an appointment. 

Not only will donors be giving those battling cancer the strength they need to keep fighting, they’ll be helping them have a good day when each day counts.

Tiffany Taylor

American Red Cross

Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region

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