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Alternative name: Platelet Apheresis ('plate-let ay-fer-'ee-sis) What are blood platelets? Blood platelets are irregularly-shaped, colorless bodies that are present in blood. Their sticky surface lets them, along with other substances, form clots to stop bleeding. When bleeding from a wound suddenly occurs, the platelets gather at the wound and attempt to block the blood flow. The mineral calcium, vitamin K, and a protein called fibrinogen help the platelets form a clot. A clot begins to form when the blood is exposed to air. The platelets sense the presence of air and begin to break apart. They react with the protein fibrinogen to begin forming fibrin, which resembles tiny threads. The fibrin threads then begin to form a web-like mesh that traps the blood cells within it. This mesh of blood cells hardens as it dries, forming a clot, or a scab. Who needs blood platelets? Blood platelets are needed for: Patients with clotting disorders,

Become a platelet donor! If you've donated blood before, you know that you've made a tremendous difference for the hospital patients who received your blood. You can take that feeling one step further by donating platelets. Many hospital patients need platelets to survive. By donating platelets, you provide an invaluable gift of life. Why are platelets needed? Blood is made of four components: platelets, plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells. The platelet component is necessary to control bleeding. Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments are unable to produce enough platelets. Without platelet transfusions, life-threatening hemorrhages could result. History of plateletpheresis Until recently(page update=year 2000), the only way to collect enough platelets for a single transfusion was to take units of blood given by 5 to 10 donors, separate the platelets from the other blood cells using a centrifuge and combine the platelets. Today, sophisticated medica

Here comes this year grand event for all the photographers from every part of the country. The Rally held in Cholistan Desert near Derawar Fort is easily accessible for photographers from Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan. The Rally is being held this year from 19th Feb to 21st Feb, 2010. TDCP's Cholistan Jeep Rally is one of the most awaited event of the year not because of the exceptional programs that they offer or the extremely managed event but due to the variety of events that it provides in the hub of the dersert in front of majestic Derawar Fort. From cultural folk sports to motor sports to fireworks against the backdrop of Derawar Fort, no one can view such grand festivities anywhere in Pakistan at any festival. Unlike last year, this event this year has a lot of changes Festivities and Programs for Jeep Rally 2010 19th Feb: This time, no activity will be held in Bahawalpur, the qualifying rounds and inspection of vehicles will be done in Cholistan this year instead of the dri

US Foreign Service Officer Matthew P. Hoh, Senior Civilian Representative, Afghanistan September 10, 2009 Ambassador Nancy J. Powell Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, D.C. 20520     Dear Ambassador Powell     ,It is with great regret and disappointment I submit my resignation from my appointment as a Political Officer in the Foreign Service and my post as the Senior Civilian Representative for the US Government in Zabul Province. I have served six of the previous ten years in service to our country overseas, to include deployment as a US Marine office and Department of Defense civilian in the Euphrates and Tigris River Valleys of Iraq in 2004-2005 and 2006-2007. I did not enter into this position lightly or with any undue expectations nor did I believe my assignment would be without sacrifice, hardship or difficulty. However, in the course of my five months of service in Afghanistan, in bo