Photo: 7-month-old PJ
September Donation Locations Announced: Prescott, Prescott Valley & Yarnell
September is National Preparedness Month, so Vitalant is reminding donors that it’s the blood on the shelves that helps to save lives when a natural or manmade disaster strikes. Blood donors are critically needed to meet the needs of patients both before and after the Labor Day holiday, a time when donations drop by as much as 25%. Donors of all blood types are vital to helping patients, especially type O, the most transfused blood. In an emergency, O-negative is crucial when there is not time to determine a patient’s blood type, and O-positive can help anyone with Rh-positive blood. Appointments are recommended: visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant App or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Prescott, Prescott Valley and Yarnell September blood drives detailed below.
Blood donors help save the lives of Arizona patients like 7-month-old PJ, who was born with a rare genetic disorder. She thrived for the first three months of her life, but then got a cold that turned to respiratory failure. PJ was admitted to the hospital, where four type O blood donors saved her life. “As I watch my daughter PJ receive her 4th blood transfusion today, I’m thinking about our blood supply and how it is low right now, particularly for type O-negative.” said her mom Katrina, a long-time Vitalant employee responsible for organizing blood drives and recruiting donors.
“When you take the time to give blood, it helps a family on their worst day going through an extremely difficult time. It is the blood on the shelves that saves lives at times like this.”
Katrina Eaton, PJ’s mom & Vitalant donor recruiter
Most people are eligible to donate, and new eligibility guidance from the Food and Drug Administration allows even more people to roll up their sleeves to help maintain a safe and adequate blood supply. Review eligibility requirements and make an appointment to give by visiting Vitalant.
About Vitalant
Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent)) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.
