Nonprofit Vitalant is urging all eligible volunteer blood donors to help prevent a summer shortage by giving blood this July. Donations around the Fourth of July are typically among the lowest of the year but patients’ needs don’t take a vacation.
Ann Johansson was on a trip to Sweden last summer when she collapsed at the airport. It turns out a malformed artery in her abdomen led to catastrophic internal bleeding. She was rushed to the hospital and had five surgeries and received blood transfusions. Once flown home to the U.S., she spent two more months in the hospital in her battle with the extremely rare condition and the complications that ensued.
“I will forever be grateful for strangers in Sweden and the U.S. who donated blood that saved my life and helped my body to heal,” Johansson said.
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially type O, the most transfused blood type. O-negative can be used to help any patient in an emergency and O-positive can help any patient with a positive blood type.
As a special thank you, all donors who give July 1-7 and opt-in to Donor Rewards can get an exclusive “Team Donor” T-shirt while supplies last.
Learn more and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).