By Nadia Brown, American Red Cross

After James Brownson reached the maximum number of whole blood donations allowed in a year, he looked for another way to give.

He found that opportunity during a tour of a Red Cross blood laboratory in Dallas, when a representative asked if he knew about donating platelets.

The question sent Brownson on what he calls a “knowledge quest” to learn more. Specifically, how platelets help patients.

What he learned inspired him to take on a challenge: donate platelets once a month for a year.

“I like to lead by example, and I like to do the maximum that I think that I can do,” he said.

As a DFW Metro East board member for the American Red Cross, Brownson was already committed to supporting the organization’s mission. But learning more about platelet donations showed him another way he could make a difference.

Platelets make up less than 1% of human blood and form clots in wounds. Platelet donations help patients battling cancer, injuries and other chronic illnesses.

Unlike whole blood donation, platelet donation uses a machine that separates platelets from the bloodstream while returning the other blood components.

For Brownson, that meant setting aside a few hours for each donation. He said the time commitment is greater than for whole blood, yet quite worthwhile.

“I think once you engage, once you commit, and once you learn a little bit about the process, it’s not too intimidating,” Brownson said. “I will be honest, it is a time commitment, but you’re restoring time for the person that’s going to receive it.”

Brownson used the Red Cross Blood Donor App to see where some of his donations helped patients. While many were in Texas, he also helped patients in Georgia and California. “I feel really great that these donations [were] used nationwide,” he said.

Brownson’s motivation is also personal. His family members are cancer survivors, and coworkers have shared their own experiences needing platelets, he said.

But Brownson said his reason for donating goes beyond the people he knows.

“These are things that…can’t be manufactured,” he said. “The only way that folks can get the lifesaving treatments [is] that we…donate.”

For Brownson, platelet donation is a direct connection between two people.

“This is a very human-to-human experience that I’m glad to be part of,” he said.

Brownson was glad to donate platelets 12 times this year, but he does not see that as the end of his commitment. He said setting a goal of one donation each month made the challenge both meaningful and achievable.

“I’m glad to have made such a difference, and I’m glad to have worked alongside all the teammates here at the American Red Cross,” Brownson said.

Brownson hopes his experience encourages others to consider donating platelets.

“Please consider donating platelets because they’re in such need,” he said.