Abstract: A driver for at least one pneumatically-actuated ventricular assist device (VAD), includes a portable housing which encloses a single pump for performing blood-filling and blood-emptying operations of the VAD, a switching valve for alternately communicating the inlet and outlet of the pump with the VAD, a vacuum relief device for subjecting the VAD to negative pressure when performing blood-filling, a battery, and a controller for controlling operation of the driver. The use of a single pump enables the driver to be fully portable. A novel blood pumping system and a method of using the same are also disclosed.