COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donations Needed

Ochsner Blood Bank is in need of the life-saving COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies to the virus in their plasma that can help patients still fighting COVID-19. In order to donate plasma, donors must have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and be completely symptom free for 14 days prior to donating.

To schedule an appointment or for more information on COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor criteria, please call 504-842-3375. We are currently accepting donations at the Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans Blood Donor Center. Please call to schedule.

Ochsner Blood Bank is in urgent need of donations due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

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. Donors will be required to wear masks and will undergo routine screening questions as well as a temperature check before donation. 

Please note: The Blood Bank asks that you please postpone your donation for 28 days if you have traveled to China and its special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Iran, Italy and South Korea, or if you’ve been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Healthy blood donors are encouraged to donate every 8 weeks.

Beginning Friday, June 5, if you successfully give blood or platelets at a participating Ochsner Blood Bank, you can receive a COVID-19 antibody test at no out-of-pocket cost.

The antibody test can determine if a person’s immune system has created antibodies in response to COVID-19. Presence of the antibody indicates the individual has been infected with COVID-19, but this test does not prove immunity from future infection.

To schedule an appointment online, visit our scheduling page. We are currently experiencing an increase in donation volume due to COVID-19, resulting in limited appointment availability.

If you are unable to make an appointment online or for more information, please call 504-842-3375. There will be a limited number of walk-in appointments at our donation sites during this time. 

Where you can donate:

Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans Blood Donor Center 
1516 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121
(504) 842-3375

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

• Platelet donation:
  • Monday – Thursday (Platelet Donation): 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Friday (Platelet Donation): 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Saturday (Platelet Donation): 7 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
    

• Convalescent plasma donation:
  • Call to schedule: 504-842-3375

Ochsner St. Anne Blood Donor Center
4608 Highway 1 Raceland, LA 70394

• Monday-Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  

Ochsner St. Anne Blood Donation Center will be closed for routine donations on Monday, September 14. 

Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus
2500 Belle Chasse Hwy. Gretna, LA 70056

• Mondays and Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner
200 West Esplanade, Suite 101 Kenner, LA 70065

• Mondays and Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  

Blood Drives

Ochsner Health Center - Elmwood
1201 S. Clearview Parkway
Building B Conference room, 2nd floor
New Orleans, LA 70121

• Thursday, Sept. 17, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  
  

Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center (Education Building)
1978 Industrial Blvd., Houma, LA 70363

• Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. & 2:15 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  
  

Parkway Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
6200 Camphor St., Metairie, LA 70003

• Saturday, Sept. 26, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  
  

First Baptist Church Amite Fellowship Hall
117 E Olive St., Amite City, LA 70422

• Sunday, Sept. 27, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  
  

Imperial Trading Co
701 Edwards Ave., Harahan, LA 70123

• Monday, Sept. 28, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  
  

Ochsner Health Center - Covington
1000 Ochsner Blvd., Covington, LA 70433

• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 8:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  
  

Ochsner Health Center - Lapalco
4225 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA 70072

• Wednesday, Sept. 30, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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 percent 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. It’s likewise insurance that blood will be readily available should the need arise. 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.

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

• Be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Be over cold or flu symptoms for 72 hours.
• Have not donated whole blood in the last eight weeks.
• Have had no transfusions for one year.
• Have no history of hepatitis after age 11.
• Have had no tattoos in the last month from a facility that is not regulated by the state of Louisiana.

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