UCSF Blood Donor Center needs donors

Editor's note: The UCSF Blood Donor Center closed in March 2013.

Did you know that 30 minutes of your time and one unit of your blood can help save up to three lives?  Jean Katz, RN, BSN, PHN, clinical nurse supervisor of the UCSF Blood Donor Center, said that most people don’t realize how precious the gift of blood is or how important this contribution is to our community.  “I call blood donations ‘liquid gold’ and know that more people would donate blood if they had an understanding of how important one unit can be,” Katz said.

The UCSF Blood Donor Center is seriously low, particularly with Type O and Type A blood,” according to Andrew D. Leavitt, MD, assistant medical director of the UCSF Blood Bank and UCSF associate professor of medicine.  “We are encouraging everyone to come in to donate in order to solve our current shortage,” he said.

January is typically a slow time for blood donations, according to the experts, but the UCSF Blood Donor Center is reaching a critical point.  Blood is used for many pediatric and adult surgeries and in the intensive care units, including the neonatal ICU.  All blood donated at the UCSF Blood Center is used at the UCSF Medical Center.  Donors can become designated donors if they wish, and may donate up to six times per year.

WHERE TO GIVE BLOOD:  UCSF Blood Donor Center, 505 Parnassus, Room L131, Monday-Friday, 8 am-7:15 pm and Saturday 9 am-4:45 pm.  No appointment is needed.