‘Vitalant’ calls for blood donations in Yuma County

Responding to Arizona's critical blood shortage

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) The nation’s largest nonprofit independent blood collector Vitalant has declared a critical shortage of blood as supplies have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Shelter-in-place orders led to 566 blood drives canceled since early March in Arizona alone, resulting in a loss of more than 17,000 uncollected blood donations.

Coupled with a resumption of surgeries and other medical procedures as stay-at-home restrictions were lifted, has caused a 25% increase in the need for blood during the past several weeks.

Vitalant says all blood types are needed right now with an especially high need for type O, A-negative and B-negative red blood cells.

In addition, platelets are always needed by patients for cancer treatments, surgeries and emergencies. Because of its short shelf life – only 5 days - the supply of platelets must be continually replenished.  Donors are strongly urged to give blood as soon as possible by going online to vitalant.org or calling 877-258-4825 (877-25-VITAL).

Here are the locations in Yuma County:

Somerton

Fri, June 12, 10am-2pm, Somerton Police Department, 445 E Main St, Training Rm

Yuma

Wed, June 10, 10am-2pm, Yuma County Health Services District, 2200 W 28th St, Auditorium

Sat, June 13, 10am-2pm, Yuma Regional Medical Ctr, 2400 S Ave A, Entrance

In Arizona, Vitalant must collect more than 600 blood donations every day to meet patients’ transfusion needs. Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Vitalant urgently needs donors to make an appointment today to ensure a stable blood supply.