MCVP Blood Donation Pilot Starts on October 15

Would you like another way to help patients and accrue additional volunteer hours? If so, we are pleased to share that we are collaborating with Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program for a new service pilot. We have partnered with this group over the years by having departmental blood drives and having volunteers assist in the waiting area at the Hilton Building Blood Donor Center. With this new pilot,  current Mayo Clinic Volunteer Programs volunteers are eligible to receive volunteer time when registered to donate whole blood, double red cells, blood platelets, and plasma at Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program. If deferred for any reason, you are still eligible to receive credit for your attempt to donate. This is a win-win-win situation – you receive volunteer service time (and feel good giving back directly to patients with your donation!), the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program receives your generous donation, and patients’ lives are saved.

Every donation is valuable.

• Each whole blood donation may help multiple patients.
• The blood you donate with the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program stays right here at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
• Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come as a gift from people like you.
• The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months. People are more apt to be traveling and active during these times and thus are at an increased risk for accidents.

For frequently asked questions related to giving blood, more information is available online.

Criteria for participating

To participate in this pilot, you must be at least 16 years old. For volunteers who are age 16 and 17, you must have a signed consent form from your parent or guardian. The consent forms will be available in the volunteer offices. Additionally, you must meet the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program criteria. Many criteria are outlined in the FAQ.

To receive volunteer time for your donation, you must complete our MCVP blood donation form and have it signed by the Blood Donor Program staff. These forms are available at any of the campus volunteer offices. At your convenience, return the signed form to any of the volunteer offices to have your time recorded.

• For whole blood donations, you will receive one volunteer hour.
• For blood platelets, plasma, and double red cells, you will receive two volunteer hours.

Again, this service is in the pilot stage. The pilot will begin Tuesday, October 15 and run for six weeks.  After the pilot, we will determine whether to transition this into an ongoing service. If you participate, we would appreciate any feedback to make this an ongoing, sustainable service.

If you would have any questions, please contact a Mayo Clinic Volunteer Programs staff member.