Sometimes you do not know what you need until you need it. In which case for patients with ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia), we may find ourselves in situations where we may need platelets.
To explain, there are three major players in our blood these are: red blood cells, which move oxygen around your blood, white blood cells, which defend the body and are a key function in the immune system and platelets that are pulled into action to clot the blood when needed.
If someone’s platelet count becomes too low, spontaneous bleeding can occur and even a small amount of bleeding can be dangerous, especially if there is bleeding on the brain.
Generally, there are treatment methods in place to assist with increasing ones platelets. But, what happens if treatment is ineffective or you find yourself in a situation where you are bleeding out. Well, you need platelets stat/ASAP.
Because platelets cannot be manufactured, it has to be sourced from blood donations.
In Australia, one in three people need a blood donation whereas only one in 30 Australians give blood. Meaning, we are heavily reliant on the charity of others giving up their time to donate. If blood donations decrease, the chances of more lives being lost that could have potentially been saved increases.
Furthermore, unlike other blood forms that can be stored for longer periods. Platelets only have a shelf life of approx. 5 days. Therefore, platelet donors are in constant demand.
With all this being said, even I cannot convince my loved one (aka husband) to donate. In his mind, if I need platelets he will just pull up his sleeve and donate on the spot. Even when I do my best to explain the process of blood donations and the time it takes between a blood donation and blood transfusion he still cannot seem to comprehend the process. This honestly scares me because I have a bleeding disorder and one day I may require a blood transfusion and if I cannot convince my loved one to donate then I am fearful. This really has brought to light the importance of blood donors.
Before, my condition I personally donated blood. Obviously now, I cannot donate. So I understand, to donate ones blood does take time out of your day, may require a little travel, and may cause a little anxiety. However, it is one of the most selfless acts one can perform and it will give you a sense of pride/accomplishment. One blood donation has the potential to save three lives. If I could go back in time knowing what I know now and what that blood donation means to someone who needs it I would have donated more often.
So although I have so far been unable to convince my husband to roll up his sleeves I hope this little post will resonate with someone reading. I furthermore, want to thank those people out there that do donate, people like you are a bright light in a dark circumstance and I thank you from the bottom of my heart – you are my hero.
For those of you who have ITP, maybe you may have more luck with your loved ones ;)
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