Vitalant Short On Blood; Saving Arizona Blood Drive Set For Sunday

By Daniel Perle
Published: Friday, July 5, 2019 - 11:39am
Updated: Friday, July 5, 2019 - 9:43pm

Vitalant, formerly known as United Blood Services, says they are facing a shortfall of nearly 2,000 donations this week.

The high number of Arizona residents on the road for the Fourth of July holiday represents two problems for the blood supply, as Sue Thew with Vitalant explained.

"So many people are on the roads and highways this particular week," Thew said. The potential for the need for life-saving blood transfusions is even greater during the Independence holiday week but it also happens to be the lowest week for the summer for blood donations.” 

The Saving Arizona Blood Drive, the largest in the state, is set for this Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

More than 400 of the 618 appointments there remain unfilled.

Science