Get Phoenix Open pass for donation at KTAR News blood drive

PHOENIX — The holiday season may be over, but there’s still a chance to give and receive.

From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Tempe Center for the Arts, Vitalant, in partnership with KTAR News 92.3 FM and 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station, is hosting a blood drive.

“We’re looking for 600 blood donors … and in appreciation, every donor will receive a voucher for a free, one-day admission for the Waste Management Phoenix Open,” Vitalant spokesperson Sue Thew told KTAR News’ Gaydos in the Afternoon on Friday.

The supply levels have become so serious, Vitalant announced Friday there’s a critical need for blood in the state of Arizona, especially for Type O, the universal blood type.

“A lot of people will put off their non-emergency surgeries until after the holidays are over. Who wants to spend their holidays in the hospital?” Thew said when asked why the end of the year is so difficult for blood donations. “So [hospitals are] just dealing with emergencies over the holidays, but come January, those surgery schedules fill up.

“It’s really a tough time of year because not only are we coming off the lowest time of the year for blood donations, but then we go into the highest time of the year for blood usage.”

All blood types are encouraged to take part in the blood drive.

Walk-ins are accepted, but Thew recommends donors make an appointment at BloodHero.com to help streamline the process.

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