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CONTACT: Amy Ratliff, (859) 323-6363 ext. 252

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Platelets Across America Gives to Markey

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 15, 2008) − Al Whitney, a retired factory worker from Ohio, is on a personal mission. His “Platelets Across America” campaign is taking him across the United States to raise awareness about the need for platelet donations to help cancer patients. During his venture, Whitney has also presented hand-made quilts to cancer centers. He made a quilt presentation to Dr. Kevin McDonagh, chief of the UK HealthCare Markey Cancer Center Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, in the first-floor lobby of the Whitney-Hendrickson Building.

Whitney has already donated in seven states (Pennsylvania, Texas, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan) as part of his Platelets Across America campaign. A blood donor since the mid-1960s, Whitney has given more than 5 gallons of whole blood in addition to more than 600 platelet donations.

Platelets are cell fragments that circulate in the blood stream and are essential for clotting. They are routinely needed to support patients during cancer therapy, open-heart surgery, blood disorders and organ transplants. Platelets, which have a shelf life of just five days, can be separated from whole blood donations or can be given through a process called apheresis or automated donation. During automated donation, blood is drawn and channeled through a sterile, single-use tubing set to an automated system which separates the platelets and returns the other components to the donor.

Some cancer treatments cause a loss of platelets. These specialized blood cells help control blood clotting. When platelet levels fall too low, patients are given a transfusion of platelets to replenish their supply and prevent life-threatening hemorrhages. Patients may require a daily platelet transfusion for several weeks. More than 70 percent of all platelets donated to the Kentucky Blood Center are transfused into patients fighting cancer.

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