Autologous Donations (Self-Donation)

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Requirements for an Autologous Donation
An autologous blood donation is when a person donates blood for their own use, prior to a scheduled surgery. Many doctors will ask you to donate a unit or two for yourself if you are undergoing a medical procedure. This will ensure that you receive your own blood, guaranteeing the best compatibility, as well as lessen the impact on the blood supply itself.

• Autologous donations require a Red Cross Special Collections Order form signed by your physician which serves as a prescription for this service.  The order must be received by the Red Cross several weeks prior to the anticipated need. 

• You or your physician can request the required Red Cross autologous order form be faxed or emailed to the physician’s office. (Contact information is listed at the bottom of the page.)

• You must be in reasonably good health. You will not be allowed to self-donate if you have an active infection and you may not be allowed if you have a heart condition.

• There is no age limitation for autologous donation, but you must weigh at least 110 pounds.

• Unless otherwise directed by a physician, you may safely donate blood every four to seven days before your surgery if you meet the donation guidelines.

• Many physicians prefer patients not have an autologous donation within  7 days of  surgery.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin and alcohol should be avoided for 48 hours before your donation.

• Your hemoglobin will be checked and must be at a satisfactory level before donating or you will not be allowed to donate. A physician may prescribe iron supplements to prevent you from testing too low, especially if you have been anemic or are making more than one autologous donation.

• If blood loss during your surgery is less than anticipated, transfusing the autologous blood may not be medically necessary. If the autologous  blood is not used during surgery, it is discarded since current safety standards do not allow its transfusion to other patients.

SOURCE: Oneblood.org & Redcrossblood.org

Oneblood.org: To make an appointment please call 1-888-9-DONATE.

Redcrossblood.org: Contact the Special Scheduling team during normal business hours M-F at 1-800-634-9069.

https://www.oneblood.org/special-donations/autologous-donations.stml

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations/autologous-and-directed-donations.html#:~:text=A%20directed%20donation%20occurs%20when,blood%20from%20the%20selected%20donors.