Meet the Team: The Donor Center

When it comes to charitable giving for life-saving cancer research and programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Western New York is a generous community, raising millions of dollars through events such as the Ride for Roswell, the 11 Day Power Play, Bald for Bucks, and more.

But did you know that you can literally extend a hand — or more precisely, an arm — to make an immediately impactful donation of blood or platelets, and it will cost you nothing except for a trip to Roswell Park’s main campus (with free parking) and an hour or two of your time? You’ll get great rewards in return: chances to win monthly raffle prizes and promotions, friendships with fellow donors and the dedicated employees of the Donor Center and, most importantly, the satisfaction of directly helping a Roswell Park patient to survive.

It takes a team effort

Cancer patients need more blood and platelets than patients fighting any other disease, and the constant demand for blood products can only be met by human donors.

The Donor Center team at Roswell Park consists of nearly 20 employees with a variety of roles including recruitment coordinators, schedulers, nurses, operations staff and communications specialists. They all have a single focus: to help Roswell Park patients. “All donations given in the Donor Center stay at Roswell Park for our patients,” says Maria Turner, Marketing and Communications Manager of the Donor Center. “We transfuse more platelet products here at Roswell Park than all other hospitals in Western New York combined.”

The need for whole blood — especially platelets — is constant

“Platelets are blood cells that are critical for blood clotting. While there is always a need for whole blood products, the need for platelet donations is especially pressing for our patients with blood cancers,” says Donor Center Recruitment Coordinator Katelyn Woods. “Because platelets have a shelf life of only five days, the need to collect them never ends,” says Katelyn, adding that platelet donors do not need to be a direct blood type match to the person who receives them.

Whole blood products are used to treat patients who may be anemic or have lost blood from injuries and surgery. “Type O-negative is the only blood type that can be transfused to patients of all blood types; however, direct blood type matches are usually the first choice for whole blood transfusions,” Katelyn explains.

As a donor you can direct your donation to a specific patient, or it can be used for any Roswell Park patient who needs it.

The Donor Center experience

“Donating blood or platelets may seem like a simple decision, but to our patients and their families, it’s anything but simple,” says Clinical Nurse Manager Elizabeth McCabe, RN. “Our donors become connected to patients they may never meet and it’s a life-saving connection. Our collections team does everything possible to make the experience easy and comfortable for donors.”

Donor Liaison Susan Domagala prescreens and schedules donors, orders supplies and assists with recruiting and retaining donors. “At Roswell Park and other cancer centers, there is a need for platelets and whole blood every day of the year, and donors are the only ones who can meet that need,” says Susan. “Every day that our donor schedule is full is a good day for our patients and every single donation makes a difference.”

Once you have been registered for your donation, you will be screened by one of the Donor Center nurses to check your eligibility and health and answer any questions donors may have. During the donation, the staff will make sure you are comfortable and offer snacks and beverages. Upon completion, donors get a colorful arm bandage, receive a copy of post-donation instructions and can even schedule their next appointment.

Donors must be at least 17 years old and in generally good health. Donating whole blood takes about an hour, and donating platelets takes about two hours. You can donate platelets every two weeks and whole blood every eight weeks. All donors are also entered into monthly raffles for prizes. “In June we celebrated summer with a raffle to win one of four $50 gift cards to a Buffalo area waterfront or patio restaurant. You can check out our promotional packages each month on our Donor Center Facebook page,” says Katelyn. Donors also receive perks like loyalty cards to earn T-shirts and gift cards.

The best part of the job

“It is extremely humbling to meet so many selfless people, some who are donating to help patients they know, and others who donate occasionally or on a regular basis to give complete strangers a better chance of survival,” says Maria. In speaking of the many people who recently donated blood for a particular patient, “it was such an honor to tell that patient’s mother how loved her daughter is.”

Susan recalled an instance in which a couple, who were already donors, asked their friends and families to donate blood or platelets at the Donor Center, in honor of the couple’s upcoming wedding. “I’ll always be inspired by how many of our own Roswell Park employees donate blood, especially during crises, such as the blizzard we had at the end of last year.”

Maria also proudly notes that the Donor Center team has consistently been one of the top Ride for Roswell fundraisers for several years. “Every year, the Donor Center chooses a current blood or platelet recipient to ride in honor of,” she explains. “Our Ride team, comprised of staff, donors, friends and family, help bring awareness to our constant need for blood products while supporting Roswell Park in yet another way.

“When you walk through the doors at Roswell Park, look around you at all the patients and caregivers you see. Even though you may not know those people personally, your blood or platelet donation may be one that gives hope to one of those patients and their loved ones on any given day and it’s a wonderful way to give back.”