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The Vitalant Blog

Blood Donation Basics

Think you know everything there is to know about blood and blood donation? Maybe you do, maybe you don’t. Check out our interesting trivia tidbits below.

Can Anyone Become a Superhero?

Can Anyone Become a Superhero?

Even before the release of the latest highly anticipated superhero film, most everyone daydreamed about being a superhero at one point or another. But what does it mean to be a superhero, anyway?  Read More
Is It Really Life or Death?

Is It Really Life or Death?

Even someone who has never donated blood understands that blood is used all the time to help hospital patients, and transfusions are commonplace.

Read More
What Is a Power Red Donation?

What Is a Power Red Donation?

You may have heard the term Power Red or Power Red blood donation being tossed around, or even received requests from Vitalant to donate a Power Red. What exactly is this so-called Power Red blood donation, and what makes it “powerful”? Is it pumped up on steroids??
  Read More
Blood Donation Cycle

Blood Donation Cycle

Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood . However, blood donations don’t always keep up with that demand. Hospitals and blood services nonprofits have observed a common blood donation cycle throughout the year. What do we mean by that? Read More
How to Help Hospital Patients if You Have a Blood Donation Deferral

How to Help Hospital Patients if You Have a Blood Donation Deferral

Imagine the following scenario: You set out on a mission — your lifesaving mission to save the lives of hospital patients through blood donation. But soon, you receive the disappointing news. You're told you have a permanent blood donation deferral and can't give blood. What then can you do?

Read More
Is Donating Blood Safe?

Is Donating Blood Safe?

It’s no secret that blood donations save lives — after all, 1 in every 7 people entering a hospital needs blood. But you may be wondering: Is donating blood safe? Read More
A Brief History of Blood Transfusion and Blood Donation

A Brief History of Blood Transfusion and Blood Donation

Making a blood donation at a Vitalant location today means being welcomed into a clean and modern facility, screened thoroughly for everyone's safety, and hooked up to sterile equipment. But the early history of blood donation was a far cry from this environment. Read More
Blood Donation Can Improve Your Mental Health

Blood Donation Can Improve Your Mental Health

Learn How Saving Lives Brings You Happiness and Confidence 

Did you know that helping others has a positive effect on your mental health? It may seem too good to be true, but when you give blood and save lives, you’re opening the door to a treasure trove of mental and emotional rewards.

Read More
Low Blood Donation

Low Blood Donation

Summer plans are often fun, but for hospital patients, the summer stretch is no picnic.  Read More
Mother’s Day Memories Are Made Possible by Blood Donation

Mother’s Day Memories Are Made Possible by Blood Donation

As we celebrate Mother's Day in May, a young mom shares how her life was saved by the generosity of blood donors. That’s why blood donation is a great way to mark Mother’s Day or to honor the mother figure in your life. Read More
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Patients Need You

Become part of someone’s story by making a lifesaving blood donation. You could be the reason a father sees his child graduate, a young cancer patient celebrates his fifth birthday, or a sickle cell sufferer finds pain relief.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT
 

Patients Need You 

Become part of someone’s story by making a lifesaving blood donation. You could be the reason a father sees his child graduate, a young cancer patient celebrates his 5th birthday, or a sickle cell sufferer finds pain relief.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT
 
 
 

Related Categories

Hosting a Blood Drive

View Articles >
Prevent Impossible Choices, Host a Winter Blood Drive

Prevent Impossible Choices, Host a Winter Blood Drive

Hosting a blood drive this winter is more important than ever. The ... Read More

Coordinator Meets the Need for a Local Donation Option

Coordinator Meets the Need for a Local Donation Option

When her local blood drive combined with one in a neighboring town,... Read More

Increase Health and Happiness in 2023 by Hosting Blood Drives

Increase Health and Happiness in 2023 by Hosting Blood Drives

As we approach year’s end, you may be thinking about goals fo... Read More

Vital News

View Articles >
Five Things to Know About Thrombosis and Vitalant’s Coagulation Laboratory on World Thrombosis Day

Five Things to Know About Thrombosis and Vitalant’s Coagulation Laboratory on World Thrombosis Day

October 13 is World Thrombosis Day, a day established to raise awar... Read More

Vitalant HLA Laboratories Part of the Healthcare Team that Helped the US Reach 1 Million Organ Transplants

Vitalant HLA Laboratories Part of the Healthcare Team that Helped the US Reach 1 Million Organ Transplants

On Sept. 9, 2022 the U.S. reached 1 million organ transplants accor... Read More

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Dylan Bowen Found His Purpose at Vitalant

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Dylan Bowen Found His Purpose at Vitalant

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Dylan is refle... Read More

Blood Donation Stories

View Articles >
Blood Donation Wellness Check Alerts Donor to Serious Illness

Blood Donation Wellness Check Alerts Donor to Serious Illness

John, a longtime Colorado blood donor, discovered he had a serious ... Read More

Continuing a Black Friday Blood Donation Tradition in Memory of Her Sister

Continuing a Black Friday Blood Donation Tradition in Memory of Her Sister

Erin has fond memories of her Black Friday blood donation tradition... Read More

Giveaway Winners Talk About Why They Donate

Giveaway Winners Talk About Why They Donate

A few of the lucky gift card recipients from our summer and fall gi... Read More

 

Can I Donate?

Ready to donate, but unsure if you qualify? Or maybe you’ve been deferred in the past — but that doesn’t necessarily mean you still can’t donate. View our most up-to-date eligibility requirements.

 

Can I Donate? 

Ready to donate, but unsure if you qualify? Or maybe you’ve been deferred in the past — but that doesn’t necessarily mean you still can’t donate. View our most up-to-date eligibility requirements.

 
 
 
 

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