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 every 2 weeks!

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!

• Receive your choice of official "A Team" apparel after 6 donations...1/2 way there!
• Receive a certificate of "A Team" achievement and a special thank you gift after completing 12 donations in a year.
• Put your name into the "A Team" drawing box each time you donate and be eligible to win monthly prizes.
• Invitations to special Apheresis Donor events, and — special recognition at these events.
• Opportunities to share your story...and tell others your reasons for being a committed volunteer blood donor.

For more information on platelet apheresis donations or becoming a member of the "A" Team please call Blood Donor Services at (574) 234-1157. You may have seen Michele working at the reception desk or in the donor room. She has been in Blood Donor Services for ten months and with South Bend Medical Foundation for over two years. As the Apheresis Ambassador, Michele will be your contact to schedule or change your donation appointments, listen to your comments on how we can make your donation experience the best possible, and talk to you about new programs and events we have for our platelet donors!