Designated Blood Donations

To the Editor: A designated blood donation occurs when a person, A, gives blood for the exclusive use, in case of need, by another person, B. In certain instances, this form of blood collection and transfusion is accepted by the blood-banking community. When A = B, the result is autologous blood transfusion — a practice that is encouraged by all blood bankers. Another accepted form of designated donations occurs when A and B are close family members. Thus, children, persons sensitized to high-frequency antigens, and patients with thrombocytopenia who are refractory to random platelet transfusion may have their relatives donate . . .