Memorial University Medical Center (MUMC) partners with The Blood Alliance to provide life-saving blood for the Savannah region. The Blood Alliance is a non-profit community blood bank that serves regions in Georgia, South Carolina, and northeast Florida.
All of the blood collected in the Savannah region stays right here at MUMC. It is used almost as quickly as it is collected. A single car accident victim may use 50 units of blood in just a few hours. In fact, up to three lives can be saved with one pint of whole blood. A steady supply of blood is also needed for children and adults receiving cancer treatment, surgery, transfusions, and numerous other medical procedures at MUMC. The need is great and on-going. Please consider giving today.
A donation center is located on the MUMC campus at 4700 Waters Avenue, Savannah, Georgia. The donation center is located to the left of the main entrance, near the Medical Center Pharmacy.
Hours of Operation
- Mondays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walk-ins are always welcome. For an appointment, call 912-350-5643.
Types of Blood Donation
There are different types of blood donation, and each type is important. You can donate whole blood every eight weeks. Apheresis and plateletpheresis (explained below) can be done more often. For the comfort of our donors, we provide wireless Internet access, television programs, and movies to watch during the giving process.
- Whole Blood Donation -- Human blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Donating one pint of blood containing all of these blood components is called “whole blood donation.” The red cells separated from whole blood have a shelf life of only 42 days, so it is imperative that we receive a continuous supply from generous, life-saving donors. Donating one pint of whole blood typically takes an hour.
- Automated Donation (Apheresis) -- This automated donation lets you donate red blood cells, platelets, and plasma separately or combined. Sometimes this process is referred to as “apheresis.” The blood is collected using an automated system that separates red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Depending upon the type of donation, one component is kept while the rest are returned to the donor. This process involves only a single sterile needle and takes approximately one-and-a-half to two hours.
- Platelet Donation (Plateletpheresis) -- This process involves collecting blood, separating the platelets, and returning the other blood components back to the donor. Platelets help blood clot and are given to people with leukemia, people receiving chemotherapy, and infants or children with severe infections. Plateletpheresis takes approximately one-and-a-half to two hours. Donors can give platelets as often as every two weeks or up to 24 times in one year. If you’re planning to donate platelets, you cannot take any aspirin or medicine containing aspirin in the 48 hours before you donate.
For information about our donor incentive programs or to learn more about donating, visit The Blood Alliance or contact us at 912-350-5643.