June 1, 2021—As COVID-related restrictions on people’s activities begin to be lifted and the summer season approaches, Vitalant urges new and existing donors to make time to give blood, platelets or plasma to be able to meet patient needs, both emergency and routine. The need for lifesaving blood transfusions remains steady year-round, and yet on average, donors give several thousand fewer donations during the summer months.
Type O blood in short supply
While all blood types are currently needed, there’s an especially urgent need for type O blood donations—the most transfused blood type. Type O donors can maximize their impact by giving a Power Red donation when two units of red cells are given, and other blood components are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
Platelets constantly needed
Platelets are tiny cells in blood that form clots and stop bleeding. They are given to organ transplant patients, cancer patients, people with blood disorders, and open-heart surgeries. Platelets are constantly needed because they must be transfused within five days of donation.
No waiting period for COVID-19 vaccinated donors
People who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to give blood, platelets or plasma if they meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria.
How to give
To learn more and schedule an appointment to donate, please visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Vitalant follows strict protocols to ensure the safety of donors, patients, and staff, including social distancing and other precautions. Face masks are required for all donors where state or local jurisdictions or blood drive hosts mandate. Otherwise, masks are only required for donors who are not fully vaccinated.
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.