Specialized Donor Program

The Specialized Donor Program seeks healthy participants to give a variety of collections, including white blood cells, the part of your blood that helps fight infection and are called Leukopaks. Collected cells are used by Red Cross cell and gene therapy partners that are researching or producing therapies to treat diseases such as cancer or autoimmune conditions. Donors are compensated for their time and participation. We are working toward treatments together.

Individuals between the ages of 18-64, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in general good health may be eligible to participate in the Specialized Donor Program.

Absolutely! Please feel free to share this information with anyone who meets the minimum eligibility requirements (between 18-64 years old and over 110 lbs). Those interested may visit RedCrossBlood.org/CellTherapy or call 1-833-595-2214 to register for a prescreen appointment.

Simply complete the online form at RedCrossBlood.org/CellTherapy and we will contact you to set up the health screening appointment, also called a prescreen. To schedule sooner, you may also call 1-833-595-2214.

You will be compensated with a gift card at the time of your appointment, or a check will be mailed to your home following the appointment. Compensation is based on appointment type, up to $275 per collection appointment.

A health screening or prescreen appointment is the first step in the program.

This appointment is an in-person appointment with a Red Cross staff member who will ask a series of questions to determine if you meet the health requirements for participation. At your prescreen, samples of blood will be drawn for testing purposes. You will be compensated $50 for the prescreen appointment, which takes approximately 45 - 60 minutes.

If you qualify as an eligible candidate, your prescreen results will be valid for 90 days. If you are not contacted to give a collection within those 90 days, you may schedule another prescreen visit. You will be compensated $50 for each prescreen visit.

If your prescreen test results determine that you qualify as an eligible candidate for the program, you may be contacted to schedule an appointment to give a collection. The need for collections and the type of collections vary and are dependent on what our cell and gene therapy partners need at any given time.

When we contact you, we will let you know which type of collection is needed at that time, along with the length of the appointment and compensation amount.

The collection types are as follows:
 

• A Leukopak collection takes approximately 3 - 5 hours. Donors are compensated at $275. The collection involves the insertion of a needle into each arm, blood is removed from one arm into a machine that separates the cells; the white blood cells are collected into a bag and the remaining portions of blood are returned to the donor through the needle in the opposite arm.
• A Cell Therapy Blood (Whole Blood) collection or Leukocytes (Buffy Coat) collection takes approximately 1 – 2 hours. Donors are compensated at $150. The collection involves the insertion of a needle into one arm and blood is removed from one arm into a collection bag. After your collection is completed, the blood may be processed into a Leukocytes (Buffy Coat) collection using a centrifuge machine to separate the blood into just the white blood cells.

Our cell and gene therapy partners count on a reliable group of participants. We invite you to stay eligible and become a regular participant.

The waiting period is based on the appointment type and amount of time between appointments. For example, the waiting period between giving collections is at least 56 days following your most recent collection. However, eligibility is based on your appointment results and may be longer. Please call 1-833-595-2214 and a Red Cross team member can provide you more information.

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Limit your fluid intake on the day of your appointment: Especially limit the intake of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea or soft drinks.
• Eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch prior to your appointment. A healthy meal is important but avoid foods that are high in fat.
• Arrive at the collection center 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
• Bring valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license.
• Bring your Leukopak appointment reminder email to your appointment.

Leukopaks are a collection of mononuclear cells, a type of white blood cell made by your body. White blood cells help your body fight off infections and disease.

Scientists use mononuclear cells in research or production of therapies to treat diseases including cancer and autoimmune conditions.

If you are not contacted to give a collection before your 90-day eligibility expires, you can stay eligible in the program by doing a repeat prescreen. You will be compensated $50 for each prescreen. Our cell and gene therapy partners count on a reliable group of participants. We invite you to stay eligible and repeat the prescreen process every 90 days.

Yes! You can continue to donate blood, platelets or plasma if you are in the Specialized Donor Program. Like blood donations, you must wait between donating blood and giving a Specialized Donor Program collection. Please call 1-833-595-2214 and a Red Cross team member can provide you more information.

You can learn more, share information with others and schedule a prescreen visit by calling 1-833-595-2214. Thank you for your help.