Choose Your Blood Donors

What is the Directed Donor Program?

The Directed Donor Program provided by the Torrance Memorial Medical Center Blood Donor Center enables patients, with the written approval of their physician, to select their own blood donors for planned, non-emergency transfusion needs. Before deciding to use this program, the following should be considered:

• Either the patient or a friend/family member should be assigned as the contact person for any communications with Blood Donor Services that may be necessary
• No pre-typing of directed donors will be performed prior to donation
• Directed donors must be in good health and meet the same requirements as any blood donor

Who Can Donate?

The suitability of each directed donor blood product for the patient will be determined only after the unit of blood is obtained and tested. Only blood that is a match for the patient, based on patient’s blood type and other compatibility requirements, will be considered suitable and be reserved for his/her use.

How Do I Start?

First, the patient should inform the doctor that a loved one would like to make a directed donation. The doctor then writes an order and notifies the Blood Donor Center of the request.

When Should I Begin My Donation?

Donations must be made at least five days prior to the scheduled surgery or transfusion. To schedule an appointment, please call 310-517-4647.

What if My Blood is Not a Match?

The donor can contact the Blood Donor Center to find out if he/she is a match. Only blood that is a match for the patient, based on the patient’s blood type and other compatibility requirements, will be considered suitable and be reserved for his/her use. Directed donor blood that is not suitable for the patient will be released to the general blood bank inventory. Directed donors whose blood is not suitable are encouraged to continue to donate in honor of the patient to replace blood that may have already been transfused.