New blood donor collection room to open in North Pavilion

UAB Hospital will open a new blood-donor room in the North Pavilion Monday, Nov. 26. The new room features the latest in technology and convenience for donors. Employees and hospital visitors can get a sneak peek at the new facility during a pre-kickoff open house from 8 a.m. to noon.

The new donor room, which can process eight donors per hour, is the next step in the ambitious goal of the UAB/Red Cross partnership to make UAB self-sufficient in blood collection. UAB uses on average 770 units of blood each week and currently much of it must be imported from other areas of Alabama or other states.

The hospital also is introducing UAB TouchPoints, a new donor recognition program. Donors receive UAB TouchPoints each time they donate blood. TouchPoints can be redeemed for various prizes or saved for the ultimate reward, a weekend getaway.

Anyone who donates at the new collection room by the end of December will be eligible for a drawing for a Ross Bridge golf package for four and a couples spa package from Ross Bridge Spa. There also will be passes for free golf on many of the courses of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail while supplies last. A newly designed T-shirt will be given to each donor. Other give-away items include hats, mugs, tote bags and pens.

The donor room will begin taking blood donations at 1 p.m. Nov. 26. Normal hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday and 12 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Located on the second floor concourse next to Starbucks and the new gift shop, the 1,743-square-foot space will have four state-of-the-art E chairs, each with a built-in computer and 19-inch flat screen TV. A donor can watch TV or DVDs or surf the Internet while donating.

Donors can make an appointment to donate at the new room at www.givelife.org, sponsor code ‘UAB’ or by calling 365-8847. And remember to bring a photo ID when donating blood.