Red Cross teams up with Snoopy to incentivize platelet donation
Sep 23, 2025, 7:00 AM
Phlebotomists Paul Darlington and Sariah Kenney set up Becky Watkins to donate platelets and plasma at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center and Lab in Murray on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — As a need for platelet donation continues, some American Red Cross of Utah centers are offering a limited-edition Snoopy sweatshirt to participants.
The offer is available at the Salt Lake City, Lehi and Layton locations from Sept. 22 to Oct.5, the American Red Cross said.
This image released by Apple shows the character Snoopy in a scene from an animated short “Snoopy in Space.” Apple TV Plus has carved out prominent roles for Charlie Brown’s floppy-eared beagle and puppets from the famed Sesame Workshop in its slate of kid and family friendly programs. (Apple via AP)
New donors are also eligible to receive a $40 e-gift card until Nov. 30.
The idea was inspired by the organization’s recent Peanuts giveaway which offered donors a mystery bag containing one of four t-shirt designs featuring characters from the iconic series. It motivated over 250,000 people across the U.S. to donate blood, plasma or platelets between Aug. 29 and Sept. 21.
What are platelets and how are they used?
“Platelet donations are vital for patients battling serious health conditions,” American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Chapter Executive Director Jeremiah Lafranca said.
OneBlood, a blood collection non-profit that operates in the southern U.S., said platelets are the small cells that help form blood clots. After they originate in bone marrow, they help the body heal injuries and fight diseases.
Almost half of donated platelets go to cancer patients, according to the Red Cross.
Video via The American Red Cross
Sometimes, cancer patients get platelet transfusions to boost platelet counts. Chemotherapy can deplete platelet counts, causing a condition known as thrombocytopenia. It can lead to easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds or internal bleeding.
Per Roswell Park Cancer Center, a clinic in Buffalo, New York, low platelet levels can also prolong cancer treatment.
Victims of traumatic accidents like car crashes or shootings may also receive platelets. People with blood or autoimmune disorders receive platelet transfusions to improve their quality of life.
Why are platelets in such high demand?
The Red Cross said platelets are always needed by hospitals, often being given to patients within three days of donation. In fact, the organization’s website says that someone needs platelets every 15 seconds.
Donations must be used for transfusion within five days.
How often you can donate
Per the Red Cross, donors can give platelets every seven days.
Typically, the process takes about three hours. During that time, donors are hooked up to a machine that collects blood and removes the platelets. Then, the remaining blood is returned to the patient.
One donation can help as many as three people.
In Utah, platelet donors must be 18 years old. Click here to review the full criteria to donate blood or platelets to the Red Cross.
