In preparation for surgery, donors may select and recruit their own donors who will provide blood that may be necessary during surgery.

The designated donor program allows you to receive blood for your scheduled surgery from donors you personally select and recruit. Like autologous donation, this procedure must be approved by a physician. A completed physician form may be mailed or brought to the Blood Center. You will sign a consent form and special tags will be issued for each designated donor needed.

Each of the donors must present a tag and a driver's license or similar identification at the time of the donation.

The people you select to be your blood donors must match your blood type or have a blood type compatible with yours, if acceptable to your physician. It is your responsibility to select appropriate donors. Designated donations must be made at least 72 hours prior to the date of the transfusion to ensure adequate time is available for testing, processing and transporting of the blood. For this reason, designated donations are not suitable for emergency transfusion needs.

For information about Designated Donations, contact Donor/Patient Services Coordinator Pat Cooper.