The winter holiday season is the most difficult time of the year to maintain Arizona’s blood supply, and Mesa residents can help by attending a Vitalant blood donor event planned in December.

They are:

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, GUD Community Management, 4135 S. Power Road, with the bloodmobile.
• 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, Starbucks, 1705 S. Greenfield Road, with the bloodmobile.
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, Calvary Chapel Saving Grace, 925 S. Gilbert Road, in the multipurpose room.
• 8 a.m.-noon Monday, Dec. 11, Monte Vista Village, 8865 E. Baseline Road, with the bloodmobile.
• 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, City of Mesa-Community Spirit @ Fire Station No. 201, 360 E. First St., in the community room.
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Desert Ridge High School, 10045 E. Madero, in the auxiliary gym.
• Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Ascend at Red Mountain Apartments, 2217 N. Power Road, with the bloodmobile.
• 7 a.m.-noon Monday, Dec. 18, Latter-day Saints Mesa Arizona Lehi Stake, 2220 N. Harris Drive, in the cultural hall.
• 7-11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, Sunland Springs Village, 11214 E. Laguna Azul Circle, with the bloodmobile
• 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 19, Las Sendas Community Association, 7900 E. Eagle Crest Drive, in the banquet room.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, Banner Baywood Medical Ctr, 6644 E. Baywood Ave., in the copper room.
• 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, Banner Desert Medical Ctr, 1400 S. Dobson, in the juniper room.
• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave., with the bloodmobile.
• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave., with the bloodmobile.

Make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-258-4825.

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially the universal blood type O.

“Holiday blood donors are urgently needed,” Sid Lewis, vice president for the Vitalant Southwest Division, said in a release. “Since blood has a shelf life of 42 days, donations given in December can help save lives through New Year’s Day and beyond.”

In appreciation for building holiday blood supplies, Vitalant is thanking all donors through Dec. 17 with a $10 gift card. For more information, go to vitalant.org/thankyougift.