Vitalant looks to rebuild supplies with post-holiday blood drive in Tempe
Jan 2, 2025, 12:00 PM | Updated: Jan 3, 2025, 7:58 am
PHOENIX — Arizonans have the chance to help their neighbors by giving blood at this year’s Saving Arizona Blood Drive on Sunday.
The drive, which will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tempe Center for the Arts, is seeking 600 donors to replenish metro Phoenix’s blood supply after the holidays.
The blood drive will take place during the lowest time of the year for blood donations.
According to Sid Lewis, the vice president for Vitalant’s southwest division, blood supplies struggle during this time of year used to various holiday-related reasons.
“The winter holiday season reduces the number of people giving blood,” Lewis said in a Thursday news release. “Heavy traffic on the roads and highways increases the potential for accidents and the need for blood.”
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Unique benefits for donors who join Saving Arizona Blood Drive 2025
Donors will get a voucher for a 10-inch pizza from Streets of New York. Additionally, there’s a reward that will benefit fans of the WM Phoenix Open starting on Feb. 3.
Sponsors for the event will provide a voucher for a day of admission. While donors of all blood types are urgently needed, Type O blood — the universal donor — is especially in need.
Those who plan to join the Saving Arizona Blood Drive can make an appointment online or by calling 877-258-4825.
West Valley also hosting a big blood drive
Another upcoming Vitalant event is scheduled in Glendale: the seventh annual Mayor’s Blood Drive.
The West Valley event will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Crowne Ballroom of the Glendale Civic Center (5750 W. Glenn Drive).
Donors will recieve a WM Phoenix Open daily ticket and a voucher for a free pint of Culver’s frozen custard.
“Because this is our seventh annual blood drive, we have learned lot over the years to make this lifesaving opportunity as convenient and rewarding as possible,” Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers said in a press release. “Not only am I calling on the community to save the date to save a life, but to increase their understanding of the need for donating blood.”
Participants can call 1-877-25-VITAL (258-4825) or visit www.donors.vitalant.org (blood drive code: P2Y36) to schedule an appointment.
