Everyday in all three of our hospitals platelet and plasma blood products are needed to help save our patients lives. Most of us do not realize the short shelf life of blood - approximately 5 days for platelets, 42 days for Red Blood Cells, and 1 year for plasma - which means that our blood supply requires constant replenishment. Accident victims, our patients undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, all utilize blood.  

To help ensure that these vital resources are available when needed by our patients, please encourage all healthy, eligible individuals to give the gift of life by becoming volunteer platelet and/or plasma blood donor for Exempla. Volunteer yourself and also encourage your colleagues, family and friends to donate. Such support is crucial especially now during the summer when fewer people donate because of vacation time, the warmer weather and children out of school. We have donor centers at ExemplaSaint JosephHospital and ExemplaGoodSamaritanMedicalCenter and the blood products donated are used for patients at all three Exempla hospitals.

To be eligible to donate, a person must be in good health and be at least 18 years of age (or 17 with parental consent). Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit. All donors must pass the physical and health history examinations given prior to donation.

If you would like to donate please call the Blood Donor Room at ExemplaSaint JosephHospital (1835 Franklin St., Denver) at x67193 or the BloodDonorCenter at Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center (200 Exempla Circle, Lafayette) at x44410 for more information and to schedule an appointment.