Directed Donation

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What is a directed donation?
A directed donation is one in which a friend or relative donates blood specifically for a recipient. Provided the blood is “compatible”, it is reserved for the intended patient. If the blood is not compatible, it is made available for another patient. Directed donations assure there is an adequate blood supply for all patients. 

Does a patient need directed donor blood?
Patients should consult with their physicians to decide if a directed donation is necessary. Patient transfusion needs are met whether or not they have chosen directed donors. 

Are there extra charges for directed donor blood?
No, there are no additional charges to the patient or the donor for directed donor blood if the donation is collected and processed at an ITxM blood center. 

Are directed donations safe?
There is no medical evidence to suggest directed donations are safer than volunteer community donations. All directed donations are screened and tested exactly the same way for diseases that can be transmitted by blood. 

Protocol for recipients and directed donors:
A physician’s order must be received by the Special Donations Department prior to setting up a direction donation. The script/order must include the following: 

• Patient’s name
• Type and amount of blood products required 

• Date blood products are required
• Hospital where blood products are to be sent 

• The patient—is responsible for ensuring that all his/her directed donors call the Special Donations Department to schedule and keep their appointments 

• Appointments—Directed Donations are made by appointment only at any of our community donor centers 

• Note: Donor’s blood type is always performed at the blood center even when it is known by the donor 

Donor criteria for a directed donation:
• Donor must be at least 17 years old—donors under age 17 require parental consent 

and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian 

• Proper photo identification is required to be allowed to donate (e.g school ID with picture and full name, driver’s license and other government-issued ID) 

• Weigh at least 110lbs. Minimum volume 10 mls/kg of body weight
• Must meet minimum HGB levels of 12.5 g/dL.
• No fever, cold, flu, sore throat, or any other infection on the day of donation
• If recently on antibiotics, the full course must have been completed at least 48 hours 

prior to donation (unless for acne) and the donor currently must be symptom free 

• Must not be the husband or boyfriend of the patient if she is of childbearing age 

(blood from a husband or boyfriend could complicate future pregnancies) 

How far in advance should the donation be made? Please contact the Special Donations  Department for additional information. 

How does a patient know how many directed donor units are reserved for their transfusion needs?
Only the number of units requested by the physician will be held in reserve. The patient (or a family member) is responsible for keeping track of the number of reserved directed donor units and may call the Special Donations Department for the number of units available for the patient. It is important to remember that not all donors may be eligible to donate and some donated units may not be available because they were not compatible or did not pass testing requirements. Donor screening and testing results are absolutely confidential and given only to the donor. 

What if enough directed donors cannot be recruited to meet the patient’s transfusion needs?
If an adequate number of qualified donors for the patient’s transfusion needs can not be recruited, or if additional blood or blood components are ordered by the patient’s physician, the additional units will be provided by us from volunteer community donors. 

FDA Requirements for directed donations:
• All directed donors must meet the same strict regulations requirements set by the 

Food and Drug Administration for the general blood supply. These include prior 

health history and health risk activities
• Any directed donations found positive for infectious disease markers will be destroyed 

• Directed donors will be deferred based on standard regulatory requirements for 

blood donation intervals
• Directed donations can be included in general inventory 

SOURCE: Institute For Transfusion Medicine Inc (ITxM) operates as a non-profit organization. The Organization specializes in transfusion medicine, consultation, therapeutic, testing, clinical research, and related services. ITxM serve patients in the United States.