Important Information for Autologous Donors

If you are scheduled for surgery and need a blood transfusion during or after your operation, you may be able to donate your own blood.

This option, called Autologous (A-tal-lo-gus) Donation, is available only for planned, scheduled surgery, when there is a high chance of needing a blood transfusion.  If you are reasonably healthy, are not anemic, and are not on antibiotic treatment, you could be eligible to be your own blood donor. 

Donation Information

It is important that you understand the nature and purpose of autologous blood collection. As with any medical procedure, benefits and risks are associated with this process. The following are some things you should know.

  • We can only collect your blood for Autologous Donation after receiving a written order from your doctor. 
  • Your own blood is the safest blood you can receive. It does not cause immune reactions or transmit viral infections that you do not already have.
  • Prior to donating, your hemoglobin, or iron level, is checked.  You may be deferred as a donor if this test is below acceptable limits.  Taking an iron supplement may be advisable.  Discuss this option with your physician.
  • We recommend that you have something to eat before donating.
  • Patients who are under a physician’s care and /or take medications for heart problems, abnormal bleeding, blood disease or lung disease must discuss this issue with their treating physician and obtain permission to donate.
  • Blood is drawn through a sterile, single-use needle.  One unit of blood is removed during an autologous whole blood donation.
  • Blood has an expiration date. If your surgery is postponed and your blood or blood products expire prior to your rescheduled surgery date, you will need to donate again to replace the expired unit(s).
  • Should your blood not be used for your surgery, the unit(s) is/are destroyed. Autologous units of blood are not subject to the same standards as units for the community blood supply, so they are never released for use by other patients. Autologous units are a “custom product” created exclusively for your needs. As such, the amount charged on your bill is higher than if you used regular banked blood.

Donation Risks

Your participation in this program is voluntary and is not required for blood to be available for your surgery.  There are minor risks associated with blood donation which can include:

  1. Bruising, bleeding and inflammation at the site of the needle puncture.
  2. Multiple blood donations may make you mildly anemic.
  3. After the donation, you may feel faint, weak, lightheaded or dizzy.  We recommend that youhave someone accompany you on donation days.

For any questions and to schedule your appointment to donate, please call the University of Colorado Hospital Blood Donor Center at ( 720) 848-1230.