Blood banks nationwide typically receive fewer donations in the summer months, and the Fourth of July holiday week is when supplies are often at their lowest.
Sue Thew with Vitalant Blood Donation Centers says teens are their most active and consistent donors — thanks to the high school and college blood drives. But, with summer break and travel, blood donations significantly drop.
“In fact, teens normally provide one out of every six blood donations given in our state, which means they’re also providing one out of every six transfusions. So we need other people to step up and fill in until those school blood drives are back in full swing,” Thew said.
Vitalant is seeking several hundred donors for the Save Arizona Blood Drive on Sunday at Tempe Center for the Arts to replenish supplies for 65 Maricopa County hospitals.
According to Thew, a whole blood donation of about 16 ounces can go a long way. This type of donation can be transfused into two or three people within a week of donating because it can be separated into three components: red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
“Our greatest need is for type O blood. That’s the universal blood donor. And that's used in emergencies and traumas so the type O blood is going to get used the quickest," Thew said. "But all blood will eventually be needed by a patient because whatever blood type you have, is probably the same type lots of patients have as well.”
Thew says it's possible for donors to give blood about every eight weeks.
As extra incentive, Vitalant is giving out $20 gift cards to anyone who signs up using the special code listed on their event page. Donors can also enter a Volkswagen car raffle and a clothing giveaway.
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