An appeal for more platelet donors has been made by the National Blood Service as supplies fall to their lowest level over the Christmas period.
Platelets are very small cells that work as the body's clotting agent.
The supplies need to be constantly renewed as they only have have a five-day shelf-life.
They are life-saving treatment for many critically ill patients, notably cancer sufferers undergoing chemotherapy and for unborn babies needing transfusions.
Platelets are made in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream in the same way as red blood cells.
If a blood vessel is damaged, platelets will become 'glued' together at the site of the damage to form a platelet plug.
Collecting platelets is a specialised process in which the blood is filtered, the platelets collected, and the remaining blood returned to the donor.
They can be donated more frequently than whole blood donations because no red cells are taken, which ensures the body's iron levels remain unaffected.
Platelets given by donors can help up to three adults or 12 children.
Alex Thomas, 21 - bellringer and occasional crucifer, is proud to give blood, and tries to beat his time record each four-monthly visit. As an O neg blood group, he's chuffed to be 'special' in that his blood can be given to anyone in an emergency. Hopefully, he'll qualify to give platelets, too.
His mum used to give blood but now can't, being on restricting medication, but she does her bit by putting up posters - and transporting Alex! Adam looks forward to being able to give blood, when he gets to 16, next April. Dad, Chris, will now go back to giving blood having cleared his malaria vaccination restriction.
Can you, or someone you know, start giving blood - and even platelets? It's something that costs only time, and can save a life.
Read some stories here https://secure.blood.co.uk/e21cases.asp#brett
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