Blood Shortage Emergency Continues

Blood Shortage Emergency Continues: With Blood Supply Down by More than 25% Since May, Vitalant Issues Call for Donors

Locations Announced: Casa Grande, Florence, Maricopa, Oro Valley & Tucson

Eligible Donors are Urged to Give to Help Prevent Delays in Patient Care

As the blood shortage emergency continues, Vitalant is asking all eligible donors to schedule a blood donation now to prevent treatment delays for patients who need lifesaving transfusions. Vitalant is the non-profit blood provider for 100% of the hospitals in Maricopa County and 90% statewide.

The ongoing summer drop in blood donations since May has sharply reduced the available blood supply for patients by more than 25%, resulting in a less than three-day supply of most blood types. Maintaining an adequate blood supply is critical to helping patients after accidents and other emergencies and to treat cancer and other chronic diseases. Learn more and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825) – Southern Arizona locations detailed below.

“If enough blood is not available at any given moment, delays in patient care can have life-threatening consequences,” Vitalant Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Dr. Ralph Vassallo said. “By making an appointment today and donating tomorrow, next week, even a couple weeks from now, you become a lifeline for patients.” Fewer donors are available due to summer vacations – and fewer organizations host blood drives – yet the need for blood can also go up during what many hospitals refer to as “trauma season,” when outdoor activities tend to rise along with accidents and injuries. Blood donors save Arizona patients like Mary Jo Fasani, a retired nurse who requires blood transfusions every month at the Valley hospital where she worked for 24 years. She was diagnosed at age 5 with Beta Thalassemia, a genetic disorder that substantially shortens the life of her red blood cells.

Without enough healthy blood, the disease triggers severe anemia and impacts normal growth and development. Over her lifetime, Mary Jo estimates she has required more than 250 transfusions and her monthly need for blood is expected to continue her entire life.
Because she can only receive O-negative blood from specially matched donors, it sometimes takes up to a week to find her match. “If it weren’t for my donors, I would not be able to be a mom, to be a nurse or to be alive,” Mary Jo expressed. “Every day is a blessing. I am so grateful for my blood donors!”

All blood types are needed, but especially type O, the most transfused blood type. O-negative can be used to help any patient in an emergency and O-positive can support anyone with a positive blood type. Platelet donations play a vital role for cancer patients and those undergoing open-heart surgeries and transplants. Platelets are constantly needed and must be used within a week of donation to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.

PUBLIC BLOOD DRIVES BY CITY
Vitalant Blood Donation Appointments: www.vitalant.org or 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825)

Casa Grande
Tue, Aug 1, 9am-1pm, Compass Christian Church Casa Grande, 1510 N Casa Grande Ave, Main Hall
Fri, Aug 18, 8am-1pm, Casa Grande Border Patrol, 396 Camino Mercado, Bloodmobile
Mon, Aug 21, 10am-2pm, City of Casa Grande @ Library, 449 N Dry Lake St, ClassRm

Florence
Thu, Aug 3, 9am-1pm, ASPC Eyman, 4374 E Butte Ave, Bloodmobile

Maricopa
Sat, Aug 12, 12pm-4pm, Maricopa Public Library, 18160 N Maya Angelou Dr, Redwood

Oro Valley
Mon, Aug 14, 10am-2pm, Fry’s on LaCanada, 10450 N La Canada Dr, Bloodmobile

Tucson
Fri, Aug 18, 9am-2pm, Arizona Senior Academy, 13715 E Langtry Lane, Seminar Rm
Mon, Aug 21, 10am-2pm, DOD Tucson National Guard, 1750 E Silverlake Rd, Bloodmobile

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.