Blood Donor Center

The Blood Donor Center is open:
Monday - 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Tuesday - 8 am  - 4 pm
Wednesday - 7:30 am  - 3:30 pm
Thursday - 7:30  - 5:30 pm
Friday - 7:30  - 3 pm

Volunteers donate virtually all of this country's supply of blood for transfusion. Any healthy individual at least 17 years old who meets the acceptable criteria can donate blood.

Saints Medical Center has expanded its blood donation services to support the varied transfusion needs of our patients. The onsite location means we rely less on the availability of blood from outside sources, while making it more convenient for others to contribute locally in a very special way. Our Blood Bank recently received notification of its two-year re-accreditation by American Association of Blood Banks  (AABB).

Giving blood is safe and fast. The actual donation only takes 10-15 minutes, but donors should allow 45 minutes for the complete process, which includes the screening prior to donation and a period of observation after. It is not possible to acquire any disease through donating blood because disposable, sterilized equipment is used and discarded after each use. Less than half of one percent experience slight discomfort during or immediately after donating. At the time of the appointment donors are asked about their medical history. The donor's pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and hemoglobin will be checked. All questions and results of testing are confidential to protect the donor and the recipient.

After blood is drawn, some routine tests are performed including a check for unexpected red blood cell antibodies that could cause problems to the recipient. Screening tests are also performed for evidence of donor infection with hepatitis viruses B and C, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) 1 and 2, human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) I and II and syphilis.

Each unit of whole blood is normally separated into two components, red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. Red blood cells may be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days while fresh frozen plasma is kept in the frozen state for up to one year.

Patients scheduled for surgery at Saints may be eligible to donate blood for themselves, a process known as autologous blood donation. In the weeks before non-emergency surgery, the patient may donate blood that will be stored for possible use during the surgical procedure. The patient's surgeon will provide information regarding autologous donation well before the date of surgery.

Therapeutic phlebotomy services are available by appointment. Saints Medical Center does allow Hemochrromatosis patients to donate blood with a physician order. For further information or to schedule an appointment, please call 978-934-8584.