Shanghai recently started a platelets donation project among local colleges and universities.

The first large-scale platelet collection campaign of its kind was co-organized by the city’s blood authorities and education commission.

As important component of blood, platelets play a critical role in the clotting process.

During the weeklong project, more than 500 students from 12 colleges and universities across the city are expected to donate platelets.

University students have been one of the major forces in the city’s blood donation campaign. The platelets donation project is a new attempt to spur blood donation in the city, an official from the city’s blood authorities said.