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Thomas Weist's regular commitment supports vital therapies at the University Medical Center Freiburg

Thomas Weist from Freiburg has achieved something very special at the Freiburg University Medical Center's blood donation center: his 500th platelet donation took place at the end of May. The blood donation center thanked him for his extraordinary commitment, which benefits numerous seriously ill patients.

"I donate out of conviction. It's just a little prick but it has a big impact," says Weist. In addition to his impressive number of platelet donations, Mr. Weist has also made a considerable number of whole blood donations at the Freiburg University Medical Center Blood Donation Center. Mr. Weist has been donating blood regularly since the 1990s and platelets by means of thrombocytapheresis since the early 2000s.

"We would like to thank Mr. Weist for his extraordinary willingness to help. Every single donation can save a person's life," says Prof. Dr. Richard Schäfer, Senior Consultant at the Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy (ITG) at the Freiburg University Medical Center.

What makes platelet donation special

Thrombocytapheresis is a special form of blood donation in which platelets (thrombocytes) and some plasma are removed with the help of an apheresis device. The remaining blood components are immediately returned to the donor. Such a donation takes around 90 to 140 minutes and requires a minimum interval of 14 days between two appointments.

Anyone who has already donated whole blood, has stable platelet levels and suitable veins is eligible. A medical check takes place before each donation. Donors receive an expense allowance for their commitment.

Further information on platelet and whole blood donation can be found on the website of the ITG, Blood Donation Center of the University Medical Center Freiburg: www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/itg/blutspende.html

Image: Prof. Dr. Richard Schäfer, Senior Consultant at the ITG (right) and Dr. Markus Umhau, Medical Director of the Blood Donation Center, ITG (left), present Thomas Weist with a certificate and a gift basket for his 500th platelet donation.

Image source: University Medical Center Freiburg