Autologous Donations

Autologous blood donation is when patients donate blood for themselves prior to their surgery.

Mayo Clinic offers this option but the following should be noted:

• Autologous blood donations must be ordered by your Mayo Clinic physician.
• Autologous donors must be healthy enough that donation will not harm them and they must have no bacterial infections.
• Autologous donors cannot donate within three days of surgery.
• Autologous blood donations may make the donor/patient have a low red blood cell count (anemic) and increase the likelihood of transfusion during surgery.
• Most insurance policies will not pay for the additional expense of autologous blood donations.

If you are interested, please discuss this option with your Mayo Clinic physician.