We are using this incentive program to grow our donor base in those areas to specifically help our hospital partners with growing platelet usage.

If you earn $600 or more in gift cards you will need to receive a 1099 form for tax purposes. Therefore, you need a W9 Tax Form to participate in this program. After your screening donation results are in, a W9 will be sent to you from DocuSign to the email we have on file for you.

If you have never donated platelets before, yes. You will need to complete the form above and go through the whole blood screening process. It is not guaranteed you will be eligible for this program.

At the screening donation you will be donating a pint of whole blood. During this short donation process we will collect a platelet count sample, assess your veins, and determine if you qualify for regular platelet donation. You will be compensated for this visit.

A Bloodworks representative will contact you about your eligibility within 5-7 days after your whole blood screening donation. If you qualify, your first platelet donation can be scheduled for about two-three weeks after your initial whole blood donation.

Yes, after your first platelet donation you can manage your platelet appointments in the online Donor Portal.

You can donate platelets as often as every 7 days, up to 24 times per year. However, not everyone will be able to donate this often. For most donors, we recommend aiming for around 12 platelet donations each year through this program. Each eligible donation counts toward earning your digital gift cards.

Gift card points are added to your Donor Portal account in the 1pm hour the day after your donation. You will need to place an order for a gift card after that time. You will then receive an email from our Gift Card vendor where you choose from a variety of popular brands like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks.

Gift cards are fulfilled through our partner, Tango Card, Monday through Friday. Please allow up to 24 hours after placing your order for processing. Orders placed after 4pm on Friday will be processed the following Monday morning.

• Your points will become inactive 6 months after your last donation. They will be reinstated when you come back to donate.
• If you go 8 months without donating, your points will expire. Expired points may be reinstated at Bloodworks’ discretion.
• All points earned in 2026 must be used in 2026.

• If your donation is unsuccessful (for example, due to a machine error), you will receive 10 points in your Donor Portal account the next day.
• If you are deferred from donating, you will receive 5 points.

Our point system calculates bonuses after donations are processed and lab results come back. What is collected on site and what is finalized after processing can differ slightly, since a small portion of your donation is set aside for required testing.

In your case, you were likely right on the edge between a double or a triple donation. After the lab took its testing samples, your total fell into the range collected.

Platelets are used to help local patients in  Pacific Northwest hospitals that may be undergoing various treatments. Platelets are most used in cancer treatments, heart transplants, trauma situations, and bleeding disorders.

Successful donations are not a guarantee but doing the following steps help your body prepare.

• Eat higher calcium food before donating (like yogurt).
• Drink extra fluids and eat a healthy meal before donating.
• Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin 48 hours prior to donation.
• Show up a few minutes early.
• Make sure you use the restroom prior to your donation.
• If you need to reschedule, we appreciate at least 48-72 hours’ notice so we can fill your appointment time with another donor.

Most people say they only feel a slight pinch from the needle at the start of the donation. Because of the apheresis process, your red cells are returned to your body along with an anticoagulant that may cause some lip tingling, so we offer you Tums® since calcium diminishes that effect. That’s also why we encourage donors to eat higher calcium food before donating (like yogurt). Some people say they feel refreshed after donating because of the extra fluid.

Depending on your weight and height, an apheresis donation process will take approximately 70 minutes to two hours—the perfect amount of time to read, stream a movie, listen to music, have a conversation with the staff, or simply enjoy the quiet.

Most donors feel fine after donating blood or platelets, but some donors may experience an upset stomach, feel faint or dizzy, or have bruising, redness, or pain where the needle was inserted. Since your oxygen-carrying red cells are returned in the apheresis process, you should feel less tired than after a whole blood donation. Take it as an opportunity to “be kind to yourself” since you are saving patients’ lives!

Because of the apheresis process, your plasma and red blood cells are returned to your body during your donation. Your platelets are the only component removed, which will take about 2 days for your body to replace.

That’s why you can donate platelets so frequently— as often as every 7 days, up to 24 times a year!

You will hear back from us within 48-72 hours.