We need more than blood drives to solve shortages of platelets - STAT

We need more than blood drives to solve shortages of platelets - STAT

The polar vortex exposed a major flaw in our volunteer blood supply system

By JONATHAN THON

SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES

Platelets, the Band-Aids of the body that help stop bleeding, are the blood component in highest demand, largely because they last only a few days.

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