Blood Shortage Emergency Continues
With Blood Supply Down by More than 25% Since May, Vitalant Issues Call for Donors
July 25, 2023 – Statewide, Ariz. — As the blood shortage emergency continues, Vitalant is asking all eligible donors to schedule a blood donation now to prevent treatment delays for patients who need lifesaving transfusions. Vitalant is the non-profit blood provider for 100% of the hospitals in Maricopa County and 90% statewide. The ongoing summer drop in blood donations since May has sharply reduced the available blood supply for patients by more than 25%, resulting in a less than three-day supply of most blood types. Maintaining an adequate blood supply is critical to helping patients after accidents and other emergencies and to treat cancer and other chronic diseases. Learn more and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825) – Locations detailed below.
“If enough blood is not available at any given moment, delays in patient care can have life-threatening consequences,” Vitalant Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Dr. Ralph Vassallo said. “By making an appointment today and donating tomorrow, next week, even a couple weeks from now, you become a lifeline for patients.” Fewer donors are available due to summer vacations – and fewer organizations host blood drives – yet the need for blood can also go up during what many hospitals refer to as “trauma season,” when outdoor activities tend to rise along with accidents and injuries.
Blood donors save Arizona patients like Mary Jo Fasani, a retired nurse who requires blood transfusions every month at the Valley hospital where she worked for 24 years. She was diagnosed at age 5 with Beta Thalassemia, a genetic disorder that substantially shortens the life of her red blood cells. Without enough healthy blood, the disease triggers severe anemia and impacts normal growth and development. Over her lifetime, Mary Jo estimates she has required more than 250 transfusions and her monthly need for blood is expected to continue her entire life.
Because she can only receive O-negative blood from specially matched donors, it sometimes takes up to a week to find her match. “If it weren’t for my donors, I would not be able to be a mom, to be a nurse or to be alive,” Mary Jo expressed. “Every day is a blessing. I am so grateful for my blood donors!” All blood types are needed, but especially type O, the most transfused blood type. O-negative can be used to help any patient in an emergency and O-positive can support anyone with a positive blood type. Platelet donations play a vital role for cancer patients and those undergoing open-heart surgeries and transplants. Platelets are constantly needed and must be used within a week of donation to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
Vitalant Donation Locations
Visit vitalant.org, download the Vitalant App or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825)
Blood Drives: Daily Valley Locations
- Chandler Donor Center: 1989 W. Elliot Rd., #33 (Elliot & Dobson)
- Glendale Donor Center: 18583 N. 59th Ave., #113 (59th Ave. & Union Hills)
- Goodyear Donor Center: 14270 W. Indian School Rd., #C-8 (Indian School & Litchfield)
- Mesa Donor Center: 1337 S. Gilbert Rd., #101 (Gilbert & Hampton)
- Phoenix Donor Center: 5757 N. Black Canyon Hwy. (Bethany Home Rd. & I-17)
- Scottsdale Donor Center: 15170 N. Hayden Rd., #6 (Hayden & 83rd Pl.)
- Tempe Donor Center: 1524 W. 14th St., #120 (14th St. & Priest)
About Vitalant
Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.
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