Vitalant announces blood shortage and urges Yuma donations

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Vitalant is a nonprofit blood service provider and announces to the public about a critical blood shortage.

According to Vitalant, the number of new donors went down to 12% year over year and have not had any new donors.

They mention how there is a need for donors with the most transfused blood type O and are quickly going out of supply.

Vitalant has collected around 13,000 fewer blood donations in April and May compared to the year before.

“Every time you donate you help ensure a patient’s lifesaving treatment doesn’t have to be put on hold,” Vitalant Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Dr. Ralph Vassallo expresses. “When patient needs consistently outpace donors scheduling appointments, chances are higher a leukemia patient won’t be able to get their regular transfusion, or a transplant recipient will have their surgery delayed.” 

Vitalant encourages the community to donate blood by making an appointment at vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Here are a list of public blood drives in Yuma:

• Tue, Jun 28, 10am-2pm, Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W Desert Hills Dr
• Wed, Jun 29, 2pm-6pm, Yuma Regional Medical Center, 2400 S Ave A, Admin Bldg Entry
• Thu, Jun 30, 9am-1pm, Yuma Regional Medical Center, 2400 S Ave A, Admin Bldg Entry