If you are having planned surgery, and you are physically qualified, your doctor may give you the option of donating your blood for your own use. This is known as an autologous donation.

When medically appropriate, a patient can benefit from receiving his or her own blood. The advantages include the elimination of infectious disease transmission and a reduced risk of having a reaction to the transfusion.

However, some patients are not able to donate blood for themselves before a surgery because of an existing medical condition or because they have an infection which could make the donation risky.

Talk with your doctor about which option is most appropriate for you, including utilizing blood salvaging techniques during or after the procedure.

There is an additional charge for opting to donate blood for yourself.