What's New in the Blood Donor Program

Platelet donors needed
Mayo Clinic Blood Bank invites you to become a platelet donor. Platelets are one of the components in blood that help blood clot. People who have leukemia, people receiving chemotherapy and babies who have severe infections need platelets, and we need your help to maintain an adequate supply.

During platelet donation (also called automated donation or apheresis), a machine collects your blood, separates out your platelets and returns the remaining blood components to you. This process takes from one and a half to two hours, during which you can watch a movie or television and relax.

Because we're only collecting one component from your blood, you can donate platelets more often than whole blood — every two days, but no more than 24 times in a 12-month period.

If you're a Mayo employee, policy #B90 you lets you take up to two hours time off with pay during the workday to donate platelets, with prior approval from your supervisor.

First-time platelet donors earn a stainless steel mug. After every fourth visit, you can choose either a Mayo Clinic polar fleece vest or a polar fleece stadium blanket. Please call (507) 284-4475 or e-mail donateblood@mayo.edu to schedule your appointment.

Saint Marys Hospital blood donor center now open through noon hour and early on Fridays
To accommodate your busy schedule, the blood donor center at Saint Marys Hospital no longer closes during lunchtime. You can now schedule your appointment to donate anytime between 7:45 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Call (507) 284-4475 or stop by Joseph Main 86 to donate soon!

Revised Employee Policy Gives Employees Time Off with Pay for Automated Blood Donation
The Mayo Clinic Rochester Employee Policy Committee recently revised employee policies to include up to two hours for automated blood donations. The revision allows Mayo employees to support the Blood Donor Program and give automated donations during the workday (staffing and other work requirements permitting). This important policy change makes it even easier for Mayo employees to support our patients by making the special effort to help those who need blood.

"This is another example of the Clinic supporting blood donation, and encouraging employees to support the Blood Donor Program and our patients. We are very pleased with this policy and hope that it increases the awareness of the importance of blood donation," said Dr. Jeffrey Winters, director, Donor Services.

The process for drawing whole blood donors generally takes one hour and the process for drawing platelets by automated collection generally takes two hours. Nonexempt employees may be allowed up to one hour time off with pay to donate whole blood or up to two hours time off with pay to donate platelets; however, this time away must be approved in advance by the supervisor.

Employees can read the full policy in the Employee Policy Manual- section B.20 Blood, Bone Marrow and Organ Donation and Research Study Participation.

Read more about automated blood donation.