PHOENIX (Jan. 19, 2022) — As the nation faces a critical blood shortage, Banner Health is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment to donate with Vitalant, which services about 900 hospitals across the country. Vitalant’s blood supply faces a historic, two-year low, including type O, the most transfused blood type and critical during emergencies.
The omicron variant is the latest COVID-19 complication that has forced the cancellation of community blood drives, which lessens the number of healthy and available donors.
Making a blood donation is a simple way to recognize the heroic efforts of health care workers nationwide while serving patients in need.
Banner Health is participating in a national virtual blood drive to make it simple for family, friends and the community to support our healthcare workers.
To participate in the Healthcare United virtual blood drive, pledge your support and schedule your appointment at https://northeast.vitalant.org/LP=28?drive_code=Healthcare United&division=NATIONAL®ion=DEN.
As thanks for helping to save lives, all who come to #GiveBlood in January, National Blood Donor Month, are automatically entered into the $5,000 Big Game giveaway. Four donors will win a $5,000 prepaid gift card redeemable by email. Terms and conditions apply -- learn more:vitalant.org/BigGameGiveaway .
Also, those who donate blood between Jan. 11 and Jan. 31 will receive a voucher for a one-day admission to the Feb. 3 to April 5 Arizona Renaissance Festival.
All blood types are critically needed, with a severe need for type O and platelet donations. Type O is often needed in emergencies and for routine lifesaving surgeries, cancer treatments and more. About half of all platelet donations support cancer patients. Platelets, which help form blood clots and stop bleeding, also help those living with blood disorders and undergoing open-heart surgery and transplants.
To make an appointment or for more information, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL. Donors must feel well on the day of their donation. There’s no waiting period to donate for those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine or seasonal flu vaccine if all other eligibility requirements are met.
About Banner Health
Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns and operates 30 acute-care hospitals, Banner Health Network, Banner – University Medicine, academic and employed physician groups, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services; including Banner Urgent Care, family clinics, home care and hospice services, pharmacies and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
About Vitalant
Vitalant (“Vye-TAL-ent”) is the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit blood services provider exclusively focused on providing lifesaving blood and comprehensive transfusion medicine services for about 900 hospitals and their patients across the U.S. Every day, Vitalant needs to collect about 5,300 blood, platelet and plasma donations to help save lives. For more information and to schedule a donation appointment, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.For further information contact us at: [email protected]