Vitalant, formerly known as United Blood Services, is hosting blood drives all throughout the month of November and December in Yuma.
Vitalant is the sole provider of blood components for Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC). Patients at YRMC can require an average of 650 lifesaving transfusions every month. Sue Thew, marketing and communications director for Vitalant, says the holidays are always a crucial time for blood donations.
“This time of year makes me think of my family," Thew said. "Several years ago, my dad had a heart attack on Christmas Eve and he was rushed to the hospital had an emergency surgery and was in intensive care for 30 days he used 15 blood transfusions… but because of those 15 blood donors my dad lived another year and a half."
A number of blood drives are happening in the Yuma area in the next few weeks. Vitalant will be at the San Luis Community Center on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Local Blood Drives:
YUMA
Friday, Nov. 16| 9 a.m.-1 p.m.| Vista Alternative High School, 3150 S Ave A, Lobo Ctr.
Tuesday, Nov. 20| 10 a.m.-2 p.m.| Yuma Regional Medical Center, 399 W. 32nd St., Corporate Ctr. Kokapelli Conf. Rm.
Wednesday, Nov. 21|10 a.m.-2 p.m.| Yuma Regional Medical Center, 2400 S. Ave. A, Yuma Conf. Rm.
Saturday, Dec. 15| 8 a.m.-12 p.m.| St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11545 E 40th St, Parish Hall
SAN LUIS
Saturday, Nov. 17 |9 a.m.-1 p.m.| San Luis Community, 800 E Juan Sanchez Blvd., Fernando Padilla Comm. Ctr.
SOMERTON
Thursday, Dec. 13|10 a.m.-2 p.m.|Somerton Police Department, 445 E Main St., Training Room