Vitalant Hosts Summer Blood Drives to combat seasonal shortage in Yuma
Skylar Heisey
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – As summer temperatures soar across Arizona, the state’s largest nonprofit blood provider is sounding the alarm on a seasonal blood shortage, and calling on Yuma residents to help.
Cameron Klug, a representative from Vitalant, joined me to discuss the organization’s upcoming efforts to meet local hospital needs through community blood donations.
“Vitalant supplies the majority of Arizona’s hospitals with the blood they need to save lives,” Klug said. “Here in Yuma, we’re the sole nonprofit blood provider to Onvida Health, which is why we host regular blood drives in the area.”
Why Summer is a Struggle
Blood donations typically drop during the summer, and Arizona is hit especially hard.
“Our extreme heat plays a role, but the bigger issue is that many of our donors are either teenagers or winter visitors,” Klug explained. “Teen donors, who make up one in every six donations statewide, are out of school, and our generous winter visitors are out of state.”
With fewer donors available, Vitalant is urging locals, especially those who have never donated or haven’t in a while, to step up.
Upcoming Summer Blood Drive
Vitalant is hosting a large three-day “Summer Life Savers” Blood Drive in partnership with local media at the Yuma Main Library:
July 31
August 1
August 2
Residents can sign up to donate at vitalant.org/yuma. Every donation could save up to three lives, and first-time donors will also learn their blood type.
What to Bring
Donors are reminded to:
Bring a photo ID
Drink plenty of water
Eat a full meal before donating
Cameron emphasized that all blood types are needed, but O-negative, known as the universal red cell donor type, is always in especially high demand.
“You’re always going to be someone’s type,” he said. “Whether you’re B positive or A negative, your blood could be the one that saves a life here in Yuma.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit vitalant.org/yuma.