People may be surprised that they can play a direct role in the fight against cancer, and it’s easier than they might think. By donating platelets or blood through the American Red Cross, donors can share their strength and help patients kick cancer.
Platelets are tiny cells that form clots and stop bleeding. About 2 million units of platelets are transfused each year in the U.S., and more than half of all donated platelets go to cancer patients.
“Some cancers and certain types of chemotherapy drugs and radiation can damage bone marrow, where red blood cells and platelets are produced,” said Dr. Pampee P. Young, chief medical officer, American Red Cross. “Cancer patients often require blood products during treatment or after surgical procedures. Platelet transfusions, in particular, are needed to prevent life-threatening bleeding and help cancer patients continue receiving lifesaving treatments.”
Blood Donations Near Hartford CC
| Town | Date | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Windsor | 3/25/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | St. Gabriel Church, 379 Broad Street |
| Glastonbury | 3/25/2019: 1:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. | Congregation Kol Haverim, 1079 Hebron Ave |
| Newington | 3/26/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Hartford Hospital Newington Campus, 181 Patricia M Genova Drive |
| West Hartford | 3/26/2019: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main St |
| West Hartford | 3/26/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Mandell Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave. |
| Bloomfield | 3/27/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Bloomfield Center Fire Department, 18 Wintonbury Avenue |
| Windsor | 3/27/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Christ the King Lutheran Church, 465 Park Avenue |
| West Hartford | 3/27/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | University of Hartford Gengras Student Union, 200 Bloomfield Avenue |
| Hartford | 3/28/2019: 7:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Metropolitan District Commission, 125 Maxim Road |
| East Hartford | 3/31/2019: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Cabela's, 475 East Hartford Blvd. North |
| Hartford | 4/10/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Hartford Square North, 10 Columbus Blvd |
| Manchester | 4/11/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Howell Cheney Technical High School, 791 Middle Turnpike W |
| Wethersfield | 4/12/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Wethersfield United Methodist Church, 150 Prospect Street |
| Windsor | 4/12/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Addison Corporate Center, 175 Addison Road |
| South Windsor | 4/15/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Wapping Community Church, 1790 Ellington Rd |
| New Britain | 4/15/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Central Connecticut State University, Ella Grasso Blvd |
| Newington | 4/15/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | TGI Friday's - Newington, 3025 Berlin Turnpike |
| New Britain | 4/15/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Central Connecticut State University, Ella Grasso Blvd |
| Hartford | 4/2/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Capital Community College, 950 Main Street |
| Windsor | 4/3/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | LIMRA, 300 Day Hill Road |
| East Hartford | 4/8/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Goodwin College, One Riverside Drive |
| Manchester | 4/8/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Manchester Community College, Great Path |
| Hartford | 4/8/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | 242 Trumbull Street, 242 Trumbull Street |
Because platelets must be transfused within just five days from the time they are donated, platelet donors have the power to help save up to three lives within days of their donation.
In addition to cancer patients, platelets and blood are needed every day for lifesaving surgeries, traumas and those living with blood disorders. The Red Cross must collect more than 2,500 platelet and about 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide. In the Connecticut Blood Services Region, 48 platelet and 302 blood donations are needed each day.
How to donate platelets
Platelet donation is available at the following Red Cross blood donation centers. Appointments are encouraged and can be made using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org/Cancer or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Local Platelet Donation Center:
Farmington Platelet Donation Center
209 Farmington Ave
Farmington CT 06032
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Monday: 7:45 a.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:45 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
About platelet donation
During a platelet donation, blood is collected by a device that separates platelets, along with some plasma, from whole blood, and the remaining blood components are returned to the donor. The entire process takes about two to three hours, and donors are encouraged to relax during the donation – Netflix, videos, television and wireless internet are available. Platelets may be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year.