Blood reserves drop dangerously low in Arizona as Vitalant urges more donors to help

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Blood reserves have dropped dangerously low over the past two years in Arizona.

Vitalant, a nonprofit organization, is urging more donors to step up and help relieve the shortage, so patients in Yuma can continue getting the blood they need this summer.

Linsey Cherveny, Vitalant communications director, said, "In 2025 alone, Vitalant supplied over 10,000 units of blood to patients in Yuma hospitals. And right now, we are in a critical shortage of Type O blood."

Vitalant says the shortage could affect local patients who rely on blood transfusions, making every donation important this summer.

"We need to be able to meet the needs of cancer patients that are coming in, moms with new babies, there are so many people that need regular transfusions of blood just to be able to live," Cherveny said.

According to Vitalant, each year more than 780,000 volunteer blood donors supply 1.8 million donations. Many of those volunteers are high school students.

"In Arizona, 10.5% of donors are high school students, so between 16 and 18," Cherveny said.

The summertime creates an extreme need for blood donors. Eligibility for donating is made simple.

"All you need to be able to donate blood is to be 16 years and older, 110 pounds or more, and in general good health," Cherveny said.

Blood donations are extremely important. They save lives. Cherveny says it's the best feeling knowing you've helped someone.

"You did something that can't be duplicated and you helped somebody that you will probably never meet. It's a really rewarding feeling," she said.

For community members who are able to donate, the Summer Life Saves Blood Drive will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Yuma Public Library.