How donating blood at UChicago Medicine's Blood Donation Center supports patients

The University of Chicago Medicine is one of the few hospitals in the Chicagoland area that has its own blood donation center. The Donation Center is open to the campus community and public to donate blood (walk-ins allowed, but appointments are strongly encouraged), and all blood benefits patients at UCM. Most other hospitals rely exclusively on external suppliers such as the Red Cross.

Despite the progress in other areas of medicine, scientists have never been able to come up with a complete substitute for blood. It simply needs to come from other humans—and it needs to be already on the shelf when the doctor calls for it. Luckily, humans make new blood constantly and can donate regularly with no ill effects (and perhaps even some benefit).

'Every drop donated supports UChicago Medicine patients'

A large hospital like UChicago Medicine needs nearly one thousand units of blood products a week. It goes to cancer patients. It goes to patients giving birth and to premature babies, to patients who have been in car crashes or victims of gun violence. It goes to patients undergoing surgery, to patients with sickle cell anemia, to patients with chronic diseases.

The UCM Blood Donation Center fulfills about 10% of the hospital’s needs, on average; the UCM Blood Bank must acquire the rest from external suppliers, with associated costs. However, blood from the UChicago Blood Center does not require an acquisition fee. 

“Every drop donated supports UChicago Medicine patients,” said Pamela A. Madden, Chief Technologist at the UChicago Blood Bank. “Our blood donors who visit our center are making a direct impact right here in our community by supporting patients at UCM.” Donations to other places, such as the American Red Cross, can travel across states or even across the country, while blood donated at UCM Blood Donation Center will be for our patients only.

Blood donation may have benefits for the donor, too. The process involves a mini-physical exam, which can catch early signs of trouble like high blood pressure. There are even some studies indicating that regular blood donation may be good for overall health—it may reduce heart attacks, among other health benefits—though the evidence is not yet thoroughly established.

You can donate blood every 56 days (8 weeks). The process is safe, simple, and takes about an hour. Platelet donation can occur even more often—once every seven days—and takes about three hours.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specific criteria for blood donation eligibility. In general, donors must be at least 17 years of age, be in good health and feel well, be well-hydrated and had a recent meal or snack, and weigh at least 110 pounds. 

The blood donation center advises drinking plenty of water and requires you to eat a full meal before your appointment. Low iron count is a common reason for deferrals, so you may want to eat iron-rich foods for a few weeks beforehand or consider iron supplements. 

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit the Blood Donation Center website or call 773.702.6247.