Blood drives come to the Southwest Valley to combat annual supply decline

Blood collection organizations are encouraging donations during National Blood Donor Month in January, a period when blood supplies often decline because of winter weather, holiday travel and fewer school and workplace blood drives.

Vitalant, a nonprofit blood services provider, said donations are especially important at the beginning of the year, when hospitals continue to need blood for surgeries, trauma care and treatment of chronic conditions despite seasonal drops in donor turnout.

All blood types are needed, with increased demand for type O blood and platelet donations. Type O blood can be used for patients of many blood types, while platelets are commonly required for cancer patients and people experiencing severe bleeding. Platelets have a short shelf life and must be transfused within several days of donation.

Regular blood donor Thomas Williams said he has encouraged friends and coworkers to donate after learning more about the ongoing need for blood products.

“Influencing others to give has become a new passion for me,” Williams said. “If I could get 100 people to donate, think of the number of people I could help.”

National Blood Donor Month was established in 1970 to recognize voluntary blood donors and to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a stable blood supply. January was selected because it is historically one of the most difficult months for blood collection, according to blood donation organizations.

Blood products cannot be manufactured and rely entirely on volunteer donors. Nationwide, an estimated 6.8 million blood donations are needed each year, and about one in seven hospital patients receives a blood transfusion during care, according to industry data.

Vitalant said it will host multiple blood drives in the region throughout January.

Upcoming blood drives include:

• Fri., Jan. 9, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Valley Golf Center, Bloodmobile, 12247 W. Indian School Road, Avondale
• Sun., Jan. 11, 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, St. Clare Hall, 13720 W. Thomas Road, Avondale
• Tue., Jan. 13, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., St. John Paul II Catholic High School, Library, 3120 N. 137th Ave., Avondale
• Sun., Jan. 25, 8 a.m.–12 p.m., Christ Community United Methodist Church, Bloodmobile, 104 W. Wern Ave., Avondale
• Tue., Jan. 27, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Estrella Foothills High School, Flex Space, 13033 S. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear
• Tue., Jan. 27, 7:30 a.m.–1 p.m., PebbleCreek Community, Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse, Palm Room, 3645 Clubhouse Drive, Goodyear

Visit vitalant.org for more information.