Autologous and Directed Blood Donations

Autologous blood donation is when a person donates their own blood in advance of a scheduled surgery or medical procedure, ensuring that they have a ready supply if needed later. Directed blood donation, on the other hand, allows a patient to request blood specifically from friends or family members for their own use, creating a personal link to the donor. Both methods aim to enhance the safety and compatibility of blood transfusions by using blood that is tailored for the recipient, reducing the risk of complications from mismatched blood types.