Autologous Blood Donation

Donating your own blood in case you need blood during or after surgery

Do I need to donate blood?

Your surgeon will tell you if it is likely that you will need a blood transfusion during your hospital stay.

Why should you make an Autologous Blood Donation?

HSS recommends that patients donate their own blood for the following reasons:

  • The blood you receive will definitely match yours
  • Your risk of getting any allergic reaction will be very low
  • You can be sure that there will be blood for you especially if you have a rare blood type
  • You will not be at risk of getting any infectious diseases
  • It is a safe and well-tested procedure.

Your Appointment to Donate Blood

If you are donating blood for your surgery, your physician’s office will schedule the necessary appointments at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital Donor Room.

Please Note: If you have a cardiac or medical condition for which you are being monitored by a doctor, please obtain a note from your doctor giving you permission to donate your own blood for your upcoming procedure.

Courtesy Car

The Hospital maintains a courtesy car for patient transportation to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital Donor Room.

It runs weekdays only from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM except between 12:00 - 12:30 PM.

For pick-up, call extension 1799 from a courtesy phone at HSS or 212.288.5328 from outside the Hospital.