Blood goes ‘through’ the tube into the apheresis machine and then back through the tube into my arm leaving the platelets in the machine to help save lives

this is an older picture but i was reminded of it today when the red cross called to set up an appointment for apheresis and i had to decline because i am having surgery soon.  i try to donate every month or so at least.  Each apheresis platelet donation can be the equivalent of up to 8 whole blood pint donations.  i am glad i am able to do this to help others and get some good karma going, since i will be having surgery for the first time in my life in a few weeks and am a little freaked out by it i will take all the good karma medically speaking that i can get 🙂