Donor thank-you program
Platelet Perks.
Platelet donors give a little extra time — about an hour to 90 minutes — so our generous local businesses give a little something back. For every 10 units of blood you donate, you earn a Platelet Perk: usually a gift card worth around $25, or a pass to the Sequoia Park Zoo.
= one Platelet Perk, on us. We keep track of your units — you just keep showing up.
Bring a book or stream something on our screens — your body replaces platelets within days.
How it works
Donate 10 units. Pick up a perk.
Every time you donate — whole blood, platelets, plasma, or double red cells — the units count toward your Platelet Perks total. Reach 10 and our team will let you know a perk is waiting for you.
Gift cards from local businesses
The most common perk — a gift card worth around $25 to a favorite local spot, thanks to the businesses that support our donors.
Passes to the Sequoia Park Zoo
Sometimes the perk is a pass to the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka — a great day out for the whole family, courtesy of the zoo.
Perks vary based on what our sponsors have provided — ask our Welcome Center staff what's available when you reach your next 10.
Why platelets
Platelets are the gift that can't wait.
Platelets help control bleeding, and they're used in large quantities by leukemia, cancer, and transplant patients — and during surgery. Unlike red cells, platelets have a shelf life of just five days, so there is no stockpiling. A constant stream of volunteer donors is the only thing standing between a patient and a platelet shortage.
Cancer & leukemia patients
Chemotherapy and marrow transplants wipe out a patient's ability to make platelets. Donations keep them going through treatment.
A five-day shelf life
What you give today is transfused within days. Your donation literally cannot wait for next month's donor.
Give more often
Platelets replenish quickly — you can donate every 7 days, up to 24 times a year. That's a lot of units toward your next perk.
What to expect
An apheresis platelet donation takes about an hour to 90 minutes — longer than whole blood, but you can relax in the chair while the machine collects your platelets and returns everything else to you. Eat well, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid aspirin for 48 hours beforehand. Platelet appointments are scheduled by phone so we can match you with the right machine time.
Our perk providers
Thank you to our Platelet Perks sponsors.
These local businesses provide the gift cards and passes our platelet donors earn. Support them the way they support our donors.
Start counting toward your first perk.
Whole blood donors can book online. Platelet, plasma, and double red cell appointments are scheduled by phone at (707) 443-8004.