Directed Blood Donations
Directed blood donations are donations that individuals make to someone they know, such as a child, a friend or relative. Directed donations are usually made when there is time to prepare for a patient’s surgery or medical treatment. Directed donations can be a great way for family and friends to give to a child in a time of need and help to sustain the blood supplies at The Children’s Hospital for emergency cases.
Direct donations must be scheduled in advance and cannot be made in an emergency situation because the testing of the donation takes about three days to complete.
How to Solicit Directed Donations from Family and Friends
-
Once surgery or medical procedure is scheduled, talk to your child’s surgeon or doctor about his need for blood transfusions and your interest in directed donations. Your physician will then make a referral to Transfusion Medicine Services for your donations. Your doctor will determine the amount of blood your child will need.
- Provide a list of names of donors on the directed donations brochure (.pdf). A parent, legal guardian or patient of legal age must sign the form. Individuals who are not on this list cannot be used as directed donors.
- The designated donors need to be of compatible blood type with your child in order for the donation to actually be used for that patient. The donor will be tested at the time of their donation.
- Parents who arrange for directed donors for their child may inquire about the number of directed donations available for transfusion after testing is completed. Information about a donor who is not eligible is confidential for that donor.
- Your directed donors should contact the Children’s Hospital Blood Donor Center to schedule an appointment and be screened for eligibility.
PLEASE NOTE: The Blood Donor Center must have a
referral form for directed donations (.pdf) on file from the patient's doctor in order to direct blood units to a specific patient. The form is to be completed by the physician and faxed to the Blood Donor Center at 720-777-7255.
For any questions on how to coordinate directed donations for a patient at The Children's Hospital, please contact the Blood Donor Center.
