Special Programs

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Special Programs

In addition to accepting whole blood donations, the RRVBC offers many special programs including bone marrow and stem cell registry, apheresis donations, autologous and directed blood donor programs.

How the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Works:

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) provides marrow and blood stem cell transplants for patients with leukemia and other life-threatening blood diseases.

Steps to Joining the Registry:

RRVBC registers volunteers who wish to join the registry. After completing a questionnaire, a small sample of blood is drawn from your arm, and your inherited tissue type (HLA, or human leukocyte antigen type) is determined. The laboratory results are entered into the NMDP's registry, a computerized database of potential donors. The patients in need of a stem cell transplant HLA type is in the same computerized database and the matching process begins.

How Can I Join the Registry?

If you live in northern Illinois and would like to join the registry, call the Rock River Valley Blood Center at 965-8751. If you live in another area of the United States, call the National Marrow Donor Program at 1-800-MARROW-2.

APHERESIS

Apheresis is an automated blood collection procedure, allowing the collection of a specific component(s) of blood based on the donor (blood type, hematocrit, platelet count, height, weight and time available) as well as patient needs.

Platelets, Plasma and/or Red Blood Cells can be collected this way.

Each procedure involves a brand new, sterile kit that is attached to the machine. The donors blood is drawn intermittently into a centrifuge where it is separated into components - red cells, platelets and plasma. Depending on what is being collected, that component is sent to a collection bag and the rest of the donors blood is given back to them along with some anti-coagulent. The anti-coagulent is mixed with the blood in the centrifuge so the cells do not clot during the procedure.

Apheresis donations can be better for patients, since they are receiving blood components from one donor instead of many.

Apheresis donations can take anywhere from 1 to 2 1/2 hours. That is the total time the donor would be at the blood center, including medical history and canteen time. Double red cell donations take the least amount of time and platelet donations can take the longest.

Autologous Donation Program

This program enables a patient to give blood for use within the next 35-42 days, usually for an elective surgery. It is necessary to have a doctor's order to be an autologous blood donor. Your doctors office can contact RRVBC @ 815-965-8751 or toll-free @ 1-866-889-9073 to make arrangments for an autologous donation.

Directed Donor Program

Patients may specify their own donors for an expected transfusion. The donor must meet medical criteria to ensure safety of the blood supply and the donor.