Step-by-Step Walkthrough of the Donor’s Day
Tissue donors will progress through the following stations:
- Station 1 - To be greeted by volunteers and checked in. (5 minutes)
- Station 2 - To complete informed consent paperwork. (15 minutes)
- Station 3 - To be measured for height and weight. (5 minutes)
- Station 4 - To complete online questionnaire. (10-15 minutes)
- Station 5 - To proceed to have three small vials of blood drawn. (5-10 minutes)
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Station 6 - To proceed to an examination room, where tissue is collected. (20-25 minutes)
- The skin is cleaned, then numbed with lidocaine.
- The physician nicks the skin with a scalpel, and the needle is inserted into this incision.
- Three to seven sample cores are removed from the breast (this amount is approximately the size of three peas).
- A nurse/surgeon’s assistant holds pressure on the incision for 10 full minutes, then applies a pressure bandage.
- An ice pack is immediately placed on the breast, inside the bra or secured with an ACE bandage.
- For male donors, an ultrasound will be used to assist the biopsy procedure. If the physician determines there is not enough tissue, the biopsy will not be done.
- Station 7 - To proceed to checkout to receive post procedure instructions. (5 minutes)
Total donation time is 70 – 90 minutes. Times are approximate.