Vitalant, Arizona’s largest nonprofit community blood provider, recently announced they are in a worse situation this year than they have seen in many years.
Vitalant services 62 hospitals in the state and have reported that they’re in an emergency-level blood shortage.
Historically, the time between Christmas and the New Year holiday, the non-profit sees the fewest blood donations. Sadly, January is usually the highest need for blood in hospitals.
Currently Vitalant is operating with a 20-percent decrease in blood drives over pre-pandemic levels, making their need for blood even more dire. Vitalant contributes the lower supplies to more people working from home post pandemic and fewer companies are holding blood drives since their employees are not in an office. However, the blood usage has returned back to normal.
Vitalant accepts appointments for blood donations at any of its locations throughout the state. To learn more on how you can donate, visit their website.
To help replenish the blood supply, Vitalant will host Arizona’s largest blood drive on Sunday, January 8 at Tempe Center for the Arts from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At this blood drive event, every donor will receive thank-you gifts from sponsors, including:
- Voucher for a one-day admission to the 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open, courtesy of The Thunderbirds
- Voucher for a 10″ cheese pizza, compliments of the Streets of New York
- Vitalant long-sleeved T-shirt, redeemable by email
To learn more and sign up for an appointment, click here.
