UNC Hospitals Lacking in Platelets
By Ashley Perryman

Last minute cancellations and a flush of no-shows have led to a crippling platelet shortage at UNC hospital. The platelet donor center has been like a ghost town this past month. Beds sit empty and supplies stack up as the staff waits for donors who never come.

UNC hospitals have a large need for platelets because of the cancer unit. Any spike in demand can create an emergency shortage.

Donor Recruiter Kristi Baleno said the supply is never more than a few days away from a critical state.

“The shelf life is five to seven days, so if we don’t have constant supply of donors, we run out,” Baleno said.

Platelets are the clotting part of the blood and can be extracted in a centrifuge with the rest of the blood circulating back to the donor.

Regular blood donors can donate platelets in addition to their whole blood donations.

To schedule an appointment, call 919-966-2370 or email platelet@unch.unc.edu.