The "A" Team is a group of very special blood donors… more specifically, these donors provide platelets through apheresis. In an apheresis donation, donors only give select blood components – platelets, plasma or red blood cells. The platelet apheresis donation takes longer than a whole blood donation, but donors can donate platelets up to 24 times a year.

Because the donation process takes longer and because platelets only have a shelf life of 5 days, the apheresis donors are vital to the blood supply in our community! We developed the "A" Team to recognize and encourage those donors that commit to donating platelets at least once a month (or 12 times a year).

When you commit to being a member of the "A" Team you will be eligible for the following items and more to come!

• With each donation you will receive a punch on your special "A" Team punch card. If you give a double or triple donation you will receive a punch for each one. Once you receive 12 punches you will be able to order "A" Team apparel.

For more information on platelet apheresis donations or becoming a member of the "A" Team please call Blood Donor Services at (574) 234-1157.