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Click through for an updated map of the storm's progress, complete with projected paths and historical data.More >> Click through for an updated map of the storm's progress, complete with projected paths and historical data.More >> New York City and other centers hit by "superstorm" Sandy began to restore power and transportation Wednesday and early Thursday, even as the recovery of more bodies pushed the death toll from the storm higher.More >> New York City and other centers hit by "superstorm" Sandy began to restore power and transportation Wednesday and early Thursday, even as the recovery of more bodies pushed the death toll from the storm higher.More >> Some of the numbers are staggering: more than 75 Americans dead, thousands evacuated from their homes, millions left without power for days and billions of dollars in damage from "superstorm" Sandy.More >> Some of the numbers are staggering: more than 75 Americans dead, thousands evacuated from their homes, millions left without power for days and billions of dollars in damage from "superstorm" Sandy.More >> As the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation rolled toward Canada Wednesday morning, it leaves behind at least 51 dead and millions without power.More >> As the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation rolled toward Canada Wednesday morning, it leaves behind at least 51 dead and millions without power.More >> The torrential rains and hurtling winds of "superstorm" Sandy are slowly passing through, along with some of the more acute health dangers such as falling trees and high flood waters.More >> The torrential rains and hurtling winds of "superstorm" Sandy are slowly passing through, along with some of the more acute health dangers such as falling trees and high flood waters.More >> Power outages and flooding caused by "superstorm" Sandy could lead to food safety problems and people need to take steps to ensure that their food supply is accessible and safe.More >> Power outages and flooding caused by "superstorm" Sandy could lead to food safety problems and people need to take steps to ensure that their food supply is accessible and safe.More >> The most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation cut a swath of destruction through the region, leaving at least 16 dead and millions without power.More >> The most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation cut a swath of destruction through the region, leaving at least 16 dead and millions without power.More >> As Hurricane Sandy sent strong storm surges into the coasts of New Jersey, New York and Delaware Monday morning, federal officials warned that more than 50 million people could face historic flooding.More >> As Hurricane Sandy sent strong storm surges into the coasts of New Jersey, New York and Delaware Monday morning, federal officials warned that more than 50 million people could face historic flooding and damaging winds.More >>
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
The Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for donors of blood platelets.
The need is currently high because of the recovery efforts in the northeast after Hurricane Sandy.
"Blood platelets actually make your blood clot. That's why it's mainly used in cancer patients because that's what they need. In order to get better," said Nashville Red Cross Operations Support Manager John Yakoumis.
He continued, "That's what goes to a lot of the cancer patients. With it being such a rare thing that people do, it's one of the highest needed items that we have."
According to Yakoumis, donating platelets is different than donating whole blood.
Platelet donations can only be done at one of three Red Cross donation centers in the Mid-South including Nashville, Murfreesboro and Paducah, Kentucky.
"Typically it takes around two and a half to three hours to donate," explained Yakoumis. "They stick the donor in both arms. They take the blood out of one arm and replace the platelets and plasma back in the other arm. Basically what that means to the donor is we put back most of your fluids that you don't normally get back from a whole blood donation."
Blood platelets only have a shelf-life five days.
Yakoumis said it's imperative that there are enough platelets being shipped to the northeast following Hurricane Sandy since many centers there are not able to take donations.
Platelets can be donated every seven days, but the Nashville chapter recommends once every two weeks.
For more information contact the American Red Cross at 615-250-4300 or visit their Web site.
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