Appeal for more platelet donors

Platelets given by donors can help up to three adults or 12 children

An appeal for more platelet donors has been made by the National Blood Service as supplies fall to their lowest level over the Christmas period.

Platelets are very small cells that work as the body's clotting agent.

The supplies need to be constantly renewed as they only have have a five-day shelf-life.

They are life-saving treatment for many critically ill patients, notably cancer sufferers undergoing chemotherapy and for unborn babies needing transfusions.

Platelets are made in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream in the same way as red blood cells.

If a blood vessel is damaged, platelets will become 'glued' together at the site of the damage to form a platelet plug.

Collecting platelets is a specialised process in which the blood is filtered, the platelets collected, and the remaining blood returned to the donor.

They can be donated more frequently than whole blood donations because no red cells are taken, which ensures the body's iron levels remain unaffected.

Platelets given by donors can help up to three adults or 12 children.