--- title: Why the U.S. Urgently Needs More Platelet Donors description: The Red Cross’s fall appeal highlights a fragile part of American health care: a lifesaving blood component that must be replenished every five to seven days, write Robert Glatter and Peter Papadakos. canonical: https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/why-the-us-urgently-needs-more-platelet-donors/ author: Robert Glatter article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-09-17T10:00:04.452Z article:modified_time: 2026-09-17T10:00:04.889Z article:section: Ideas og:title: Why the U.S. Urgently Needs More Platelet Donors og:description: The Red Cross’s fall appeal highlights a fragile part of American health care: a lifesaving blood component that must be replenished every five to seven days, write Robert Glatter and Peter Papadakos. og:url: https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/why-the-us-urgently-needs-more-platelet-donors/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltea85e32c5f3368ce/6aaaa987effc546cb1dfb10d/platelet-donation.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2121 og:image:height: 1193 og:image:alt: platelet-donation.jpg og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Why the U.S. Urgently Needs More Platelet Donors twitter:description: The Red Cross’s fall appeal highlights a fragile part of American health care: a lifesaving blood component that must be replenished every five to seven days, write Robert Glatter and Peter Papadakos. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltea85e32c5f3368ce/6aaaa987effc546cb1dfb10d/platelet-donation.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  IDEAS Time ideas # Why the U.S. Urgently Needs More Platelet Donors > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=02d45414-f268-4f22-a0e4-37d81fe02470&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | Source: TIME, August 2026. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=02d45414-f268-4f22-a0e4-37d81fe02470&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=02d45414-f268-4f22-a0e4-37d81fe02470&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. by [Robert Glatter](https://time.com/author/robert-glatter/) and [Peter Papadakos](https://time.com/author/peter-papadakos/) Sep 17, 2026 10:00 AM UTC  anand purohit—Getty Images by [Robert Glatter](https://time.com/author/robert-glatter/) and [Peter Papadakos](https://time.com/author/peter-papadakos/) Sep 17, 2026 10:00 AM UTC Picture these frightening scenarios: a family member receiving intensive treatment for leukemia is unable to receive lifesaving platelets because of an ongoing nationwide shortage. Your best friend is involved in a car accident, is bleeding profusely, and is in need of platelets to stop the bleeding. These are some of the primary reasons for the American Red Cross’s latest appeal that deserves national attention. In a [press release](https://www.redcross.org/local/new-jersey/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases/don-t-let-the-blood-supply-fall--give-blood-or-platelets-with-re.html) on Sept. 8, 2026, the organization urged Americans to schedule blood and platelet donations, warning that the blood supply “remains vulnerable” after recovering from critically low levels during a summer shortage. It called on donors of all blood types to make appointments now. The message is not that every hospital has run out. It is that recovering from a shortage does not remove the risk of another one. [Platelets](https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/blood-components.html), the tiny fragments produced in bone marrow, gather at damaged blood vessels and help form clots that stop bleeding. Red blood cells carry oxygen; platelets help keep blood in circulation. Having enough of one does not eliminate the need for the other. But the two components have very [different expiration dates](https://www.aabb.org/for-donors-patients/faqs-about-blood-and-blood-donation). Red blood cells can be refrigerated for [up to 42 days](https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood.html). Plasma can remain [frozen for a year](https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/blood-components.html). Conventional platelets, stored at room temperature, generally last just [five to seven days](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12745256/). Their storage conditions also create a [risk of bacterial growth](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/bacterial-risk-control-strategies-blood-collection-establishments-and-transfusion-services-enhance), requiring special safeguards before transfusion. A strong response to a donation appeal this week therefore cannot secure the supply for next month. Blood centers need a steady flow of appointments, not simply a surge after an alarming headline. Holidays, severe weather, and illness can interrupt donations, quickly affecting what hospitals have available. ## Cancer patients are especially vulnerable The Red Cross estimates that nearly half of donated platelets go to patients [receiving cancer treatment](https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2023/red-cross-announces-national-blood-shortage.html). For them, a transfusion can be part of the support that allows treatment to continue. Leukemia can interfere with normal blood-cell production. Chemotherapy can further reduce platelet counts, sometimes forcing treatment delays while the body recovers. Platelet transfusions help protect selected patients during this [vulnerable period](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12384460/), including those undergoing certain stem-cell transplants. People with other blood disorders may also need platelet support. And patients with [severe injuries or significant bleeding](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8862339/) during major surgery or from major trauma represent another important subset of patients that urgently require platelet transfusions. The demand includes both care that hospitals can anticipate and emergencies that arrive without warning. Platelet availability is a patient-care issue, not simply an inventory problem. A hospital can have skilled clinicians, sophisticated equipment, and the right treatment plan, yet still face delays obtaining the blood component a patient needs. Smaller and rural hospitals struggle to maintain platelet inventories because units often expire before they are used. New [research](https://www.upmc.com/media/news/081726-chilled-platelets-clinical-trial-results) also indicates that platelets can be stored in colder temperatures for up to 21 days to help increase availability; this research, however, has not yet become a standard aspect of patient care. ## A stronger supply needs more than emergency appeals Recruiting donors is essential, but hospitals have responsibilities, too. [International guidelines](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2834703) published in 2025 support more selective platelet transfusion practices in defined patient groups. Avoiding unnecessary transfusions can reduce adverse reactions and conserve supplies without sacrificing appropriate care. Hospitals and blood centers should also strengthen regional sharing arrangements and coordinate anticipated needs before supplies become critical. Employers should offer time for donation. Colleges and community organizations should help recruit repeat donors and arrange transportation to donation centers. We should make donating easier rather than expect repeated appeals to overcome practical barriers. The FDA already permits refrigerated platelets for certain actively bleeding patients when conventional platelets are unavailable or impractical. An August 2026 [trial](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2852953) published in _JAMA_ found that platelets refrigerated for up to three weeks met the study’s standard for comparable control of bleeding during heart surgery, although repeat operations were more frequent in the refrigerated-platelet group. Those findings do not establish that longer-stored platelets can replace routine preventive transfusions in cancer care. Scientists are also working to produce platelets from [laboratory-grown stem cells ](https://www.isscr.org/isscr-news/scientists-use-stem-cells-to-move-closer-to-large-scale-manufacturing-of-platelets)and to develop synthetic particles that mimic parts of their clotting function. These approaches could eventually reduce dependence on donations, but they remain experimental rather than routine substitutes. Better storage, meanwhile, still starts with donated platelets. For people considering donating platelets, the commitment is straightforward but substantial. At the Red Cross, a platelet appointment generally takes about three hours, including screening, roughly two hours of collection, and recovery afterward. A machine separates platelets from the blood and returns the remaining components to the donor. One appointment can provide a full transfusion dose, sometimes enough for more than one patient. Platelet donations are available by appointment at selected centers. People can check eligibility and schedule through the [Red Cross Blood Donor App](https://www.redcrossblood.org/blood-donor-app.html), the organization’s [blood-donation website](https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive), or by calling [1-800-RED CROSS](tel:1-800-RED%20CROSS). Those able to donate regularly should discuss an appropriate schedule with the donation center. The best response to this fall’s appeal is to make time for an appointment that can save lives. A dependable supply of platelets should be something patients can count on, not another uncertainty to face. [TIME Ideas](https://www.time.com/ideas) hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/why-the-us-urgently-needs-more-platelet-donors/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/why-the-us-urgently-needs-more-platelet-donors/"},"headline":"Why the U.S. Urgently Needs More Platelet Donors","datePublished":"2026-09-17T10:00:04.452Z","dateModified":"2026-09-17T10:00:04.889Z","description":"The Red Cross’s fall appeal highlights a fragile part of American health care: a lifesaving blood component that must be replenished every five to seven days, write Robert Glatter and Peter Papadakos.","url":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/why-the-us-urgently-needs-more-platelet-donors/","keywords":["health"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltea85e32c5f3368ce/6aaaa987effc546cb1dfb10d/platelet-donation.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Robert Glatter","jobTitle":"","url":"https://time.com/author/robert-glatter/"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Peter Papadakos","jobTitle":"","url":"https://time.com/author/peter-papadakos/"}],"articleSection":"Ideas","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltea85e32c5f3368ce/6aaaa987effc546cb1dfb10d/platelet-donation.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"platelet-donation.jpg","caption":"","creditText":"anand purohit—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/ideas/","name":"Ideas"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/health/","name":"health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/why-the-us-urgently-needs-more-platelet-donors/","name":"Why the U.S. Urgently Needs More Platelet Donors"}}]}] ```