Vitalant Blood Donation seeks donors; need remains consistent year round
Summer is here and Vitalant is already feeling the heat; traditionally donors are in short supply during the summer months because of vacations and other activities. But it is important to remember that patients in 62 Arizona hospitals are depending upon 600 blood donors every day – even during the summer.
“The demand for blood is constant,” said Anna Oliver, Senior Director of Donor Recruitment for Vitalant.
“High schools and colleges are important sources of blood donors during the school year,” Anna explained. “Students are fantastic supporters, but most aren’t able to sponsor summer blood drives.”
What’s more, businesses may hesitate to host blood drives during the vacation season when they might be short-staffed. “We understand their point of view,” Anna said. “However, patients continue to need blood, regardless of vacations or school holidays.
Summer blood donors help Arizona moms like Mary Jo, a retired nurse who has relied on blood transfusions to live since she was five years old. She was born with Beta Thalassemia Intermedia, a genetic blood disorder that substantially shortens the life of her red blood cells. Mary Jo estimates that she has required more than 250 blood transfusions, and the lifesaving blood keeps coming for her every month at the very hospital where she worked as a nurse.
“If it weren’t for my donors, I would not be able to be a mom, to be a nurse or to be alive,” expressed Mary Jo. “Every day is a blessing. I am so grateful for my blood donors!”
The frequency of Mary Jo’s lifesaving transfusions escalated to every three weeks during each of her two pregnancies, as her babies depleted the oxygen in her blood. Mary Jo suffered multiple miscarriages, but in 1997 and 1999, she finally delivered healthy babies. Because the pregnancies were high risk, both her son and daughter were born one month early, weighing only about 5 pounds each. Grateful for the medical professionals and blood transfusions that kept her mom alive, her daughter Sophia is now paying it forward as an Arizona doctor.
In addition to saving lives, there are many benefits to giving blood. Every donor receives a complimentary health history check that includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature, hemoglobin levels, blood type and a total cholesterol reading. All of this information is kept in a donor’s secure, private online donor account so it can be easily referenced it at any time. Each blood donation is tested for more than a dozen infectious diseases. In the event of a positive test, donors are confidentially notified. The health history check ensures safety for both the blood donor and the patients receiving their lifesaving gift.
Vitalant is the designated non-profit provider for 100 percent of the hospitals in Yavapai County and 90 percent statewide. Every month, approximately 360 lifesaving transfusions are required by patients in the tri-city area. In appreciation for giving blood this summer, all May 23–September 7 Vitalant donors are automatically entered to win a 2025 VW Taos S, donated by the Valley Volkswagen dealers.
For Prescott-area donation locations and appointments, or to inquire about hosting a blood drive, visit Vitalant.org.