Jeff Hoffman remembers as a child watching his father donate blood. When Jeff was in his 20s and living in New York, he became a dedicated blood donor to a family friend who had cancer.
Once Jeff moved to Washington, DC, he became a regular whole blood donor at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Donation Center at 1730 E Street NW, Washington, DC. In 2002, he was asked to consider donating platelets rather than blood. Jeff learned that whereas his blood type is relatively common, he has a high concentration of platelets per unit of blood. He has been a platelet donor ever since, with more than 376 units donated helping more than 1128 lives so far!
While attending a conference several years ago, Jeff noticed a fellow attendee wearing a bracelet embossed with the words “Liquid Gold”. The attendee explained to Jeff that liquid gold refers to platelets, and that, as a cancer survivor, he had started a nonprofit to encourage more people in Alabama to donate. The gentleman’s wife then described how her husband’s hospital had no platelets and a last-minute platelet donation literally saved his life. As Jeff had never met a platelet recipient before, their emotional thank you to him for his donations remains a vital reinforcement to Jeff for saving the lives of others.
As platelets are used to help blood clotting, they are crucial for cancer patients, patients who have undergone major surgery or received transplants, and for babies and adults with certain blood disorders. Platelets must be used within 5 days after donation, so a constant supply is needed. Platelets may be donated every 7 days, up to 24 times per year.
Occasionally, Jeff receives a phone call from the Red Cross asking him for an urgent donation needed to assist the delivery of an upcoming birth. These phone calls have happened three times while at work and he leaves immediately, telling his colleagues “Got to go. I’m off to save a baby’s life!” Jeff says that this is “the best feeling ever” and that it makes him feel energized.
Jeff typically visits the DC blood donation center twice a month and describes the staff as highly professional and very friendly. During the approximately two-hour process of platelet apheresis, Jeff lies on a couch and watches a movie on his laptop. He finds platelet donation painless with no side effects.
When asked about his message to others considering platelet donation, Jeff says, “When I donate platelets, I’m treated like a king. I relax on a comfortable couch and watch a movie, then I eat cookies in the canteen…all while saving lives. I don’t understand why virtually everyone wouldn’t want to do this!”
Like his father was of him, Jeff is very proud to have passed on the tradition of donating to his children who now regularly donate whole blood and red blood cells too.
Every 30 seconds someone in the U.S. needs platelets. Individuals of all blood types, except for type O negative and type B negative, are encouraged to try platelet donation. Type O negative and type B negative individuals can make the most impact for patients in need by giving whole blood or a double red blood cell donation.
Read Frequently Asked Questions About Platelet Donation
Learn About All Types of Blood Donation
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