Northern California Blood Services Region
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Donating For Yourself
(Autologous Donation)

For patients scheduled for elective surgery in which blood might be needed, autologous donations offer the safest transfusion option because they eliminate:

  • risks of blood-borne viruses such as those causing hepatitis or AIDS (HIV)
  • risks of allergic and other transfusion reactions
  • difficulties in finding a compatible donor (for patients with rare blood types)

Choosing this option requires discussion with your physician to ensure the above benefits are not outweighed by risks to you from donating blood. These risks arise in patients with certain types of heart disease, a history of stroke, or recent infection. Also, autologous donation requires advance planning which may not be feasible when the need for surgery is urgent.

Procedure:

  • An order is needed from your physician - to ensure you are eligible for autologous donation and it is medically safe for you to donate. If you are pregnant you should refer to our special page.
  • You can then make an appointment to donate by calling our Special Collections Department at 1-800-669-4348 or 408-577-2000.
  • If possible, donations should be started between 2 and 6 weeks before surgery (depending on the number of units of blood that are needed). Blood can be stored up to 6 weeks. (If your surgery has to be postponed, your blood may be frozen for later use, if your Physician and Hospital recommend it).
  • Donations may be made as often as every 5 - 7 days. Up to 3 - 4 donations may be made.
  • Prepayment for this service is required in most instances. Exceptions to some prepaid fees may include Medicare, Medi-Cal, workers compensation patients and Kaiser patients.
  • At each donation you will be asked to verify your name and I.D. on a tag that will be attached to the bag used to collect your blood. Your blood will be handled and stored separately from that of other donations.
  • Donations should be completed no closer than 5 working days before surgery to allow time for testing and for your body to return fluid lost from the donation.

How Do We Ensure Your Blood Will Get to You for Your Surgery?

  • Your blood will be processed and tested at the American Red Cross, specially tagged, and then delivered by us to your hospital, usually within 5 working days. It will be held there for your surgery, and stored separately from other blood.
  • When you are admitted to the hospital a sample of blood will be drawn from you, and re-typed to verify that it matches the blood you donated.