For a small area nestled within a busy MUSC hospital hallway, the new American Red Cross/MUSC Apheresis Donor Center has big hopes in playing a large role in the treatment and recovery process of many cancer, transplant patients and burn victims.

Blood is made up of different parts—platelets, plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells. Platelets, which control bleeding by clotting and preserve the strength of blood vessel walls, are needed by patients after surgery, chemotherapy, bone marrow and organ transplants.

Normally, it takes eight whole blood donations to collect enough platelets to create a single treatment for someone in need. Because apheresis separates and collects only platelets, it takes just one donation to create a therapeutic dose.

Increased patient care at the Hollings Cancer Center, burn treatment and transplant centers have heightened demand of blood products for hundreds of patients. MUSC uses an average of 50,000 blood component units per year, making it the largest customer of the Southeast Regional Red Cross serving Savannah, and Valdosta, Ga., Daytona Beach, Fla. and Charleston areas.

The decision to open an apheresis center at MUSC was based on the need to have blood products readily available at a permanent site. The office replaces a Red Cross clinic formerly located on Doughty Street. Interim CEO of the MUSC Medical Center, W. Stuart Smith and Jane Jennings, Red Cross Southeast regional medical director, worked collaboratively in the planning for the new center, which opened in December.

“One of the biggest challenges regarding apheresis donation is awareness.” said Leize-Ann Berry, unit supervisor. “The average person has only been exposed to whole blood donations. They don’t know how apheresis donations can be an effective way to meet the needs of many more patients.”

The Apheresis Center is composed of an office and treatment area. The office is reserved for patient screening and history. Like standard blood donations, individuals answer questions and meet standard criteria to be eligible to donate. Persons must be at least 17 years of age, possess good health, and weigh at least 110 pounds. A pre-donation screening test is also conducted which measures blood platelet count levels where donors must meet a 151,000 platelet count average. Additionally, donors cannot take aspirin or aspirin-based products 36 hours prior to an apheresis donation.

The treatment area is reminiscent of a small lounge, outfitted with two reclining chairs, television, videoplayer and dinette area for snacks. Staff members are present during the entire process to support a donor’s needs. Individuals are seated and made comfortable, while a small needle is inserted into one arm. As blood speeds through tubes which processes and separates blood into a small centrifuge, the remaining blood products are returned to the donor through a separate needle in the other arm. The process can last a total of 60 to 90 minutes.

MUSC’s apheresis machines are unique to other Lowcountry Red Cross blood collection equipment. Within each unit, two holding areas flank a centrifuge drum, allowing for double platelet product collection within a single visit. Platelets have a short life span of seven to 10 days. Its usefulness as a blood product is limited to five days. Plasma and whole blood can be kept longer.

As with whole blood donations, reactions are a common concern. Platelet donors experience little or no side effects, since only platelets are removed. The heavier red cells and fluid plasma are returned to the body immediately. Light-headedness and fainting rarely follows a donation experience.

Berry said the center is an ideal location for family members, friends and staff to provide a service that is convenient to both donors and patients. To help personalize a donation, the Red Cross can even provide donor cards to commemorate apheresis on behalf of special individuals.

Can individuals donate whole blood after apheresis? According to Berry, individuals can donate whole blood or platelets three days after apheresis. Following a whole blood donation, a person can donate platelets in three days. The body can replenish platelets faster than reproducing its own red blood cells. Because of this, apheresis donors are able to help more patients as much as 24 times a year.

Platelet donors can also join the National Marrow Donor Registry following two donations. The program matches bone marrow patients to compatible donors for a life saving transplant. During apheresis, an additional tube of blood is drawn, a consent form completed and the results of an individual’s HLA testing is sent to the registry.

Future goals for MUSC’s Apheresis Center look to expanding the treatment area by providing additional apheresis machines, add support staff for whole blood donations, plus establish autologous donations—collection and storage of private blood supply products for individuals. The setup would be an efficient way of supporting patients in their various needs.

To recognize its importance at MUSC, the Red Cross plans a grand opening to commemorate the apheresis center sometime in February. The unit is located in Room 267, main hospital and is open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments are scheduled in two hour increments.

For more information, contact Leize-Ann Berry or Jim Meadows at 792-3340.

Staff members no strangers to platelet donations

Jo Ann Stroud and Amy Ethridge are no strangers to platelet donations. Like thousands of others, they were drawn to apheresis on a personal level because of a family member or friend.

Stroud, who works as a hospital services supervisor for the Red Cross at MUSC, chose apheresis as a way to help her aunt who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1995. A patient at a Philadelphia hospital, Stroud’s aunt needed a bone marrow transplant. After meeting with the hospital’s patient coordinator, Stroud was informed of her aunt’s need for more blood products and realized her only option. She quickly organized family and friends to create a network of donors—supplying blood and platelets—throughout her aunt’s treatment. Stroud credits the hospital staff, who without their aggressive campaign of blood donation education and awareness, would not have known of available options to help.

Like Stroud, MUSC Children’s Services employee Amy Ethridge turned to apheresis after a friend discovered cancer and needed platelets. She’s donated three times prior to visiting MUSC’s new Apheresis Center one weekday afternoon. Ethridge would normally travel to the Red Cross’ West Ashley Clinic for apheresis.

“I really like the convenience (regarding MUSC’s new unit) between work and home,” continued Ethridge, who lives on Sullivan’s Island. “Hopefully, I can continue to give on a regular basis.”

Unit supervisor Leize-Ann Berry cites the social rewards from apheresis donations. “There’s a type of camaraderie which develops between donors,” said Berry. Because the process takes longer than whole blood collections, donors eventually begin to recognize each other and even set appointments together. Berry said it’s not unusual for donors to establish long-term friendships over time.

Both Stroud and Ethridge continue to donate platelets long after the completion of their loved ones treatment. “I like to hope that someone would do it (apheresis) for me, if I needed it,” Ethridge said. “It’s a life-saving gift that really can make a difference.”