Severe winter storms across much of the country have disrupted platelet collections, leaving thousands of donations uncollected. Burlington’s Red Cross donation center is open to help meet the critical need.
Vermont Business Magazine Today, on World Cancer Day, Vermonters can help cancer patients by donating platelets with the American Red Cross of Northern New England. This need is especially urgent as severe winter storms in other parts of the country temporarily closed donation centers in recent weeks, leaving more than 3,000 platelet donations uncollected nationwide.
Platelets are tiny cell fragments in your blood that help form clots and stop bleeding. Nearly 50% of donated platelets go to cancer patients. With a shelf life of only five days, hospitals rely on a steady supply of platelet donations to ensure this lifesaving resource is available when patients need it.
“Platelets give cancer patients the strength they need to keep fighting,” said Stephanie Couturier, Red Cross of Northern New England regional executive. “This year, two million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer – that’s roughly three people every minute. On World Cancer Day, we invite you to become a hero for a cancer patient in need. Make an appointment to donate platelets.”
For millions of Americans, platelets are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. In fact, every 15 seconds someone in this country will need a platelet donation. That lifesaving gift can only come from generous volunteer donors.
How Platelets Support Cancer Patients
Platelets are a vital component of cancer care, helping prevent and control bleeding for patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Low platelet count is a major side effect of cancer treatment. Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing platelet production. This damage is usually temporary. Other times, the cancer itself causes the problem. Leukemia and lymphoma can invade the bone marrow and prevent the patient’s body from producing the platelets it needs. Without a platelet transfusion, these cancer patients face life-threatening bleeding. Many cancer patients require multiple platelet transfusions each week as part of their recovery and care.
“Someone’s blood and someone’s platelet donations allowed me to get out of the hospital much quicker. I bet I would have been there longer if it wasn’t for those donations,” said Vermonter Lei DeGroot, a U-32 high school student who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2024.
“There were times Lei couldn’t leave the hospital because he was still transfusion dependent. Those platelet donations made all the difference,” said Allison Mindel, DeGroot’s mom. “Without those blood donations, he wouldn’t be here.”
Where to Donate Platelets in Vermont
Vermonters can make a lifesaving impact by donating platelets at a Red Cross Blood Donation Center:
- Burlington: 32 North Prospect Street | 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (on World Cancer Day)
WEEKLY HOURS:
Sun 7:15AM - 3:15PM
Mon 7:15AM - 3:15PM
Tue 6:30AM - 2:30PM
Wed 10:30AM - 6:30PM
Thu 10:30AM - 6:30PM
Fri 7:15AM - 3:15PM
Sat 7:15AM - 3:15PM
Donors can schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can also use this link to see available appointments at the Burlington Blood Donation Center.
What to Expect When Donating Platelets
Platelet donation, also known as apheresis, is a process that separates platelets from the blood and returns the remaining components, plasma, red cells and white cells, back to the donor. The procedure takes two to three hours, during which donors can relax, watch a movie or listen to music. Platelets can be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year.
About World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day, observed annually on Feb. 4, was established by the Union for International Cancer Control to raise global awareness, improve education and encourage action in the fight against cancer. The day unites communities worldwide to honor those affected by cancer and promote efforts that support prevention, treatment and care.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
BURLINGTON, Vt., (Feb. 4, 2026) — American Red Cross of Northern New England