Blood donors are critically needed this September for patients whose planned and emergency treatments rely on blood. Nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant is offering a special thanks to those who come to donate Sept. 1-7: an exclusive Vitalant beanie redeemable by email. Learn more at vitalant.org/labordaygift2023.
Sept. 1-7 is National Blood Donation Week, encouraging all who are eligible to donate blood and raising awareness that blood donors are always in demand. Governors in more than half of the 28 states Vitalant serves have proclaimed a state Blood Donation Day, designated as Sept. 4. Arizona's governor issued a proclamation for the entire week.
Donors of all blood types are vital to helping patients, especially the most-transfused type O. In an emergency, O-negative is crucial when there is not time to determine a patient’s blood type, and O-positive can help anyone with Rh-positive blood.
Most people are eligible to donate, and new eligibility guidance from the Food and Drug Administration allows even more people to roll up their sleeves to help maintain a safe and adequate blood supply. Review eligibility requirements and make an appointment to give by visiting vitalant.org, downloading and using the Vitalant app or calling 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).