Medical Appeal - Platelets NOT Needed

[JBA]

I have an unusual problem in that my bone marrow has stopped producing either red blood or platelets and I am being treated in the Oncology ward at the Lefkosa State Hospital. Platelets are the body's tool to stop bleeding - without them you are affectively a Haemophiliac. Today I received the 3 more of 24 units of whole blood to date but although whole blood, when you donate it, contains platelets, they die after 30 minutes refridgeration. Platelets cannot be stored and must be donated no more than 48 hours before transfusion.

Today they told me I need 2 units but they must be from 2 donors - even though 1 person can donate 6 units without any ill effect. The doctor said this had reached the point of medical emergency. Tulips, tireless as ever, are searching (believe me - they are totally brilliant for people with problems like mine); BRS have said they cannot help - so I am appealing to fellow Kibkomers.

Donors
Male or female but if female preferably with larger than normal veins (sorry to be sexist but that is what they said). People with blood pressure problems or taking any blood pressure medications cannot be accepted - other medications are not a problem. If you are already a blood donor then you cannot give platelets until 4 months after your last blood donation, If you donate platelets then you must wait 1 month before giving blood.

Blood Groups (with percentage preference)
O+ (100%) - mine
O- (90%)
A+ (75%)
A- (65%)
B+ (60%)
B- (50%)

The Process
Donations must be made at Lefkosa State Hospital blood bank. You will be attached to a machine that takes your blood, extracts the platelets and then returns the blood to your body. Unfortunately this is a 2 hour process. There are no side effects and you will not have dizziness or be unable to drive as is sometimes the case after giving blood.

Other
I will happily pay donors' expenses, and even something for time and trouble if it will help.

Phone number - please call any time -0533 841 4318

Thank you in anticipation

[Keithcaley]

I, (together with practically everyone that I know) am on blood pressure medication, but I have put your appeal up on my facebook page, in the hope that someone who reads it might be able to help you.

Would others consider doing the same? - it's only a quick 'copy and paste' job...

[JBA]

Thanks Keith!

[jen]

Like Keith my blood pressure meds mean I cannot donate but,following Keith's lead I have copied to my Facebook page ,think how many who don't use minion we can reach this way . Help is out there

[jen]

For minion please read Kibkom_

[Keithcaley]

I have been asked if there is an age restriction (as there is for 'whole blood' donors), and JBA has said that he'll ask tomorrow...

[puppylover]

Heard earlier that JBA has secured the donors required.

Well done those that came forward and best wishes to JBA with his treatment.

Good to hear something positive for a change.

[kaiserphil]

I feel for you JBA. I have Leukaemia, and am counting blood cell figures.

[Keithcaley]

An update - unfortunately two of the donors who very kindly came forward have proved unsuitable - one due to a previously undiagnosed blood disorder, and one due to having very tiny veins!

JBA (John) still, therefore, is in need of donors in order to fulfill the immediate requirement for platelets, so if you are able to help, could you please give him a call or text on 0533 841 4318 as soon as possible.

He has asked me to express his profound appreciation for the way that Kibkomers have responded so far, because Kibkomers and the volunteers at Tulips have been the main source of help - he thanks you all very much.

It is hoped that the treatment regime will 'reactivate' the platelet-forming process, but the time scale for this is uncertain, which means that he may require further donations at some point in the future...

Oh, and the age limit is the same as for donating blood - 65 - which rules out most people that I know!

[JBA]

Hi Everyone

Thank you so much for the response - every offer of help I have received has come as a result of my post here. I am so grateful to Kibkomers - although I continue to praise Tulips for their efforts but this is not really their field. You should be so proud of yourselves and, despite the existence of certain societies, I have never doubted that here is the place to turn for help. Now I can prove it!

The situation is that I had 2 perfect O+ donors both of whom were rejected by the blood bank today.

The first lady was found to have low haemoglobin (red blood cells) which, while such cells are not required for my treatment, it indicated a possible problem. At least now she knows and can seek medical advice for herself - so some good came of it.

The second lady could not produce enough blood flow for the machine to work properly - her veins were too small. I didn't realise but this is apparently very common. The manager of the blood bank explained that they have an internal rule that only males under 50 will be accepted for platelet donation because it costs his budget about US$500 if they put someone on the macchine and they then cannot produce sufficient flow. However, they promised to visually inspect everyone who volunteers for me and process them, contrary to their rules, if the veins look suitable.

So I have another lady who is again O+ who will try early tomorrow morning and a man (under 50 and O+) who will happily donate but can only attend after 1pm on Saturday. Tomorrow I can find out if the blood bank can process him at that time.

And there is another man who will call me back tomorrow pm when we know the result for the current two offers.

So I still don't know if I need 0 or 1 or 2 donors. This is a very frustrating experience - I got home today at 4pm totally exhausted (today was a chemo day) and have just woken up. But I cannot afford to give up - nor is it in my nature.

So thanks again to you all. If you should call me my response will probably be vague because I just don't know until the blood bank decide to accept or reject the current offers of help.

Thanks also to Keith Caley - I use a desktop so if I am at the hospital I have no access to Kibkom - and he has been trying to keep this topic updated for me. It would have helped if the 3 SMS I sent him this morning had been to his mobile instead of his landline (doh!).

[Soner]

Good Luck John, hope that the 2 people giving tomorrow are suitable.
Have just seen this appeal and will make it a Global Sticky. I am sure that there are Kibkomers out here that will be happy to help.

[JBA]

GOT ONE - Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

It's in my body and they aren't having it back. The lady who came today was rejected for small veins so I thought I was back to no current donor. I chatted to the staff at the blood bank and thanked them for all their contributions to date and they informed me that the (Lefkosa at least) blood bank is open 24/7 and all staff are trained to take donations of either blood or platelets. (So next time you leave the pub bored and nothing to do you now have an option.)

So I went up to the Oncology ward for my chemo and the nurse appeared with a unit of platelets. I thought "wow - some lucky person" and she brought them to me and plugged me in. From what I now understand, somebody arrived at the blood bank yesterday evening to offer a unit of blood and when they tested his type it was O+. So the staff persuaded him to donate platelets instead and he agreed. I will never know him or even his name but I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

The blood bank also telephoned my potential donor for tomorrow and made specific arrangements so the machine and nurses will be instantly ready and he will be the shortest possible time if he is suitable. I can't believe they will reject him - he recently had a full medical and no problems and he is a strong sturdy guy so he must have big veins (musn't he).

Thanks again for listening and acting.

[puppylover]

Excellent news JBA and well done to the unknown person who donated last night.

As you know, a lot of us are sharing this post and wish you well.

Regards Judy.

[JBA]

Thanks Judy

Maybe I should change the title to "John's Blog"?

[Keithcaley]

Don't get Cocky!

You're not out of the woods yet!

[kerry 6138]

Good Luck John, where is the 24/7 blood bank?

[JBA]

Lefkosa State Hospital which is about 1km after the big roundabout which you encounter as first thing from Girne and 100 metres before the next roundabout. Enter the main gate ( be careful - it is an unexpectedly sharp turn) and the blood bank is about 250 metres on your right (effectively the first building) and there are parking spaces in front.

Enter the building and the entrance to the blood bank is immediately on your left.

It looks far nicer than anything I encountered in the UK and it has big adjustable leather recliners for your comfort while you donate. I don't know about the tea and biscuit though - not that it ever mattered in the UK because they didn't offer coffee and someone always beat me to the chocolate bourbons.

[JBA]

The donor who went today was successful and I will go tomorrow to receive his donation. My doctor is coming in and will supervise and give me a quick check up after the transfusion.

Thanks again to everyone - I am absolutely convinced that this would not have happened without the kindness of so many people from here.