Ochsner Blood Bank is in urgent need of donations

While all blood types are accepted, we are experiencing a critical blood shortage of platelets and Type O red cells. All who are healthy are encouraged to donate. Your donation plays a role in saving the lives of our patients and those in our community.

All healthy adults are encouraged to donate blood. Volunteers may donate blood every eight weeks, or every 56 days.

Please note blood donors must: 

• Be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Be over cold or flu symptoms for 72 hours.
• Have had no dental work (including cleaning) in the past 72 hours.
• Have not donated whole blood in the past eight weeks.
• Have had no transfusions in the past three months.
• Have not lived with a person who has had hepatitis in the past 12 months.
• Have had no tattoos or piercing in the past month from a facility that is regulated by the state of Louisiana; or in the past three months from a facility that is not regulated by the state of Louisiana.

How Easy Is It?

In approximately 40 minutes, you will:

• Complete a donor registration form
• Receive a mini-physical
• Donate about one pint of blood
• Enjoy refreshments
• Receive a “Thank You” gift

Schedule Your Blood Donation

To schedule an appointment online, visit our scheduling page. If you are unable to make an appointment online or for more information, please call 504-842-3375.

Where you can donate:

Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans Blood Donor Center
(Next to OMC Medical Library - Hospital first floor)
1516 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121

Blood donation:

• Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Saturday: 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Platelet donation:

• Monday and Wednesday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

NOTE: On Friday, November 24 (the day after Thanksgiving), the Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans Blood Donor Center will close early at 12 p.m.

Ochsner Blood Bank Donation Center at Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus

2500 Belle Chasse Highway Gretna, LA 70056

Blood donation:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Incentives

If You Donate at OMC-New Orleans Blood Donor Center:

• Gift Cards for Platelet Donations: Individuals who donate platelets at OMC – New Orleans: Blood Donor Center will receive an e-gift card from Walmart, Amazon or their choice of participating restaurants: Panera Bread, Quiznos, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Cheddar’s or Buffalo Wild Wings. Donate a single unit of platelets and receive a $25 e-gift card. Donate a double unit of platelets and receive a $50 e-gift card.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

If you donate at an Ochsner Blood Bank blood drive or donor center: ​​​​​​​

• Seasonal t-shirt or koozie (while supplies last) ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Note: Donors who successfully donate are eligible for incentives. Donors who are deferred from donation will not receive an incentive. Any employee who is not eligible or denied donation may have a friend or family member donate on their behalf. Only ONE person may donate on an employee's behalf, and they must be able to provide the employee's full name and employee ID number. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Upcoming Blood Donation Drives

Ochsner Blood Bank 

Ochsner Blood Bank’s mission is to provide an adequate and safe blood supply for the hospitals and communities that Ochsner serves.

What is the Ochsner Blood Bank?

The Ochsner Blood Bank currently supports over 70% of Ochsner's blood needs for patients at Ochsner hospitals. The Ochsner Blood Bank is the primary blood supplier for Ochsner Medical Center, Ochsner Health Center - Kenner, Ochsner Health Center - West Bank, Ochsner Baptist Health Center, Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital and Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Cut Off.

In addition, Ochsner Blood Bank participates in blood-resource sharing with other local community hospitals. If you happen to need blood during a hospital stay, please consider asking your family and friends to replace the blood that was transfused. Ochsner offers a blood replacement plan that takes care of everything. It even provides coverage for your family members, or other designated individuals, to receive the replacement units for up to one year should they need them.

More than 50,000 blood components were transfused just last year. There’s also supporting information that indicates there will be a significant increase in transfusions for the current year. Blood replacement removes some of the costs of blood, but more importantly it provides patients with a safe and adequate blood supply. 

If you happen to need blood during a hospital stay, please consider asking your family and friends to replace the blood that was transfused. Ochsner offers a blood replacement plan that takes care of everything. It even provides coverage for your family members, or other designated individuals, to receive the replacement units for up to one year should they need them. The Blood Bank will be happy to discuss the replacement program with you and make any necessary arrangements.

Blood is needed every five seconds – for babies, leukemia patients, burn victims, emergency surgeries, organ transplants, trauma patients and the list goes on. It may be needed for someone you know – even you. Few acts are as simple, and yet so generous, as donating blood. And the only source for this blood is you, the volunteer donor. Volunteers donate all of this country's blood supply for transfusions. Simply put, there is no other source. Ochsner needs your help to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for the community.

Healthy blood donors are encouraged to donate every eight weeks in order to maintain an adequate blood inventory.

Donate blood at one of Ochsner’s convenient community blood collection centers, visit one of our donor center or call us to schedule a mobile blood drive in your area. Blood donations by appointment are preferred. For additional information or if you have any questions, please call 504-842-3375.