IT ALL STARTS WITH A DONOR!

Danielle Norcutt is a new employee at our Kennedy Donor Center. As a platelet donor her blood was HLA typed in our Reference Lab for special cross-match purposes. It was found that she is one of the very few FBS platelet donors that is called a PLA1 neg. "Very Rare" . Mostly unborn babies need these as a intrauterine transfusion.

In late June, Danielle donated platelets for an unborn baby. She was scheduled to donate again, right before the planned due date, but the baby went into fetal distress. In the late afternoon the hospital contacted our Cross-match Lab, who called our Automated Collections Coordinator who then called Danielle and our Clearwater Donor Center. Two loyal staff members stayed open late that evening so Danielle could quickly donate. The doctors asked FBS to please collect a double or a triple product because some of these vital platelets would go to the Mom and some to the baby.

Our Cross-match lab the next day reported that the Neonatal ICU and the neonatologist were both grateful and amazed that the platelets were available so quickly.  We believe our FBS team collectively set a new speed record for collecting a platelet donation, getting it tested, processed, irradiated, labeled, shipped and received.   From the time of the doctor's original phone call until the platelets arrived at the hospital the total elapsed time was a blazing 21 hours and 28 minutes!

Many FBS staff members were involved in helping to expedite this miracle, but it all started with a donor willing to roll up her sleeve to help a neighbor in need. Thank you Danielle!!

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