Selecting Your Blood Donor
(In Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey)
Patients who have an upcoming need for blood sometimes ask friends or family to donate blood for them. Talk with your doctor about your need for blood, the risks of transfusions and your transfusion options. If you and your doctor agree that you should select your own donors, you must then get special American Red Cross tie tags from the hospital where you are having the surgery.
Tags are most often available through the hospital’s blood bank, and will identify your directed units of blood.
Give one completed tie tag to each person you have selected to donate for you. The donor should then call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to make an appointment at the nearest Red Cross donor center. Donors must bring the tie tag and some form of identification with them when they make their donation.
Blood donations must be made at least six working days prior to your anticipated transfusion to allow enough time to prepare and deliver the blood.
The Red Cross cannot guarantee that blood collected from every directed donor will be available for your use. Blood must match your blood type and pass testing requirements. The hospital blood bank and your physician will decide which of these units meets your needs. The hospital may require additional charges for the special handling of your directed units.
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