Become a platelet donor

Finding out if you can donate platelets is simple. Just add an assessment to your next blood donation appointment.

Who can donate platelets?

You can donate platelets if you:

• have given blood or platelets before
  
  
• are aged 17 to 65 (or up to 70 if you've donated in the last 2 years)
  
  
• are able to regularly spare up to 2 hours
  
  
• can travel to one of our platelet donor centres

What happens at your assessment

Your assessment takes place at your next blood donation appointment. There's no need for a separate visit, and it doesn't take any extra time.

A member of staff will:

• check your veins to see if they are suitable for platelet donation
  
  
• ask your height and weight to confirm you have enough blood to donate safely
  
  
• take a small blood sample to check your platelet count

You will also have the chance to ask any questions.

Getting your results

We will contact you within 4 weeks to let you know if you are suitable.

What happens next depends on your result:

If you haven’t had your results after 8 weeks, please email us with your details.

Things that mean you cannot donate

There are some permanent reasons that mean you cannot donate platelets, even if you've given blood before:

• you've had a blood transfusion
  
  
• you have or have had most types of cancer
  
  
• you are HIV positive
  
  
• you are a hepatitis B or C carrier
  
  
• you have had or are being treated for syphilis
  
  
• you have ever injected, or been injected with, non-prescribed drugs

Donating is so easy and pain free. In fact I enjoy the peace and quiet.

Natalie started giving platelets after a friend died from bowel cancer