Pizza Hut Partners to Thank December Blood Donors with Complimentary Pizza

First Responder Blood Drive Seeks Donors to Meet Holiday Patient Transfusion Needs

Pizza Hut Partners with Vitalant to Thank December Blood Donors with a Complimentary Pizza!

Southern Arizona Locations Announced: Arizona City, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Florence, Maricopa, Oro Valley & Tucson

Help Arizona firefighters and police officers ensure an ample patient blood supply by donating throughout December during the First Responders Holiday Blood Drive.

Thanksgiving and through New Year’s Eve is the most difficult time of the year to maintain our blood supply. First responders know first-hand you can’t wait for an emergency to donate – it’s the blood on the shelves that saves lives.

In appreciation for giving blood during the winter holiday season, Pizza Hut is thanking all December blood donors in Arizona City, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Florence, Maricopa, Oro Valley and Tucson with a voucher for a complimentary medium pizza. To make an appointment to donate blood, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825) – Southern Arizona blood drive locations detailed below.

It was the blood already on the shelves that saved Phoenix Police Officer Austin Peru who was shot multiple times in the line duty last February.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 11, 2022, Phoenix Police Office Austin Peru (photo right) was one of five officers shot during an emergency call for service. Suffering several gunshot wounds, Officer Peru was transported to the hospital, where he received immediate blood transfusions and underwent emergency surgery to stay alive. During his hospital stay, he continued to receive blood transfusions. Officer Peru has returned to work in a light duty capacity, but consistently attends therapy for his injuries and keeps a positive attitude. “I am thankful for people who donate blood. I would not be here without them,” he reflected.

Arizona’s blood supply continues to feel the impact of the pandemic. With employees from so many with many organizations still working virtually, Arizona blood drives remain about 20% below pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, hospital surgery schedules and patient blood usage have returned to normal levels. “Holiday blood donors are urgently needed, said Sid Lewis, Vice President for the Vitalant Southwest Division. “Since blood has a shelf life of 42 days, donations given in December can help save lives through New Year’s Day and beyond.” Donors of all blood types are needed, especially the universal blood type O.

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

Arizona City
Thu, Dec 15, 10am-2pm, Arizona City Fire District, 14022 Sunland Gin Rd,

Casa Grande
Wed, Dec 14, 9am-1pm, Sundance 1 RV Resort, 1703 N Thornton Rd, Hole in Wall
Mon, Dec 19, 10am-2pm, City of Casa Grande @ Downtown Public Library, 449 N Drylake St, Activity Rm

Coolidge
Tue, Dec 13, 8am-12pm, Imagine Prep, 1290b W Vah Ki Inn Rd, Bloodmobile

Florence
Thu, Dec 15, 10am-2pm, Florence Town Hall, 775 N Main St, Bloodmobile

Maricopa
Mon, Dec 12, 9am-1pm, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, 15406 Maricopa Rd, Bingo Hall
Fri, Dec 30, 1pm-5pm, Maricopa Community @ Coper Sky Multigenerational Ctr, 44345 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Bloodmobile

Oro Valley
Tue, Dec 20, 10am-2pm, Fry’s on LaCanada, 10450 N La Canada Dr, Bloodmobile

Tucson
Mon, Dec 5, 8:30am-1:30pm, Rincon Country West RV Park, 4555 S Mission Rd, Rally Rm
Fri, Dec 16, 9am-2pm, Arizona Senior Academy, 13715 E Langtry Ln, Seminar Rm
Mon, Dec 19, 10am-2pm, DOD Tucson National Guard, 1750 E Silverlake Rd, Main Multipurpose Rm

About Vitalant
Vitalant (“Vye-TAL-ent”) is the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit blood services provider exclusively focused on providing lifesaving blood and comprehensive transfusion medicine services for about 900 hospitals and their patients across the U.S. Every day, Vitalant needs to collect about 5,300 blood, platelet and plasma donations to help save lives. For more information and to schedule a donation appointment, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.