there are times i think i'm not good for much, but one of the things i am good at is producing platelets. so good, in fact, they pull doubles or triples when i give. that means that a cancer patient can receive the same donor's platelets 3 times and reduce the risk of rejection or problems. my husband went thru many pints of blood as a cancer patient, and because of those donations, in 3 years he will be alive and able to again donate blood. platelet donations take a bit longer than blood donations, and they can be given/collected every 2 weeks. whichever, or whatever, you can give is appreciated. this is a gift that can only come from another person, so give if you can. i always tell them i'm there for the cookies! 8-)