This November, nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant is urging all eligible blood donors to give thanks for good health and give blood to ensure an adequate supply is available for patients. As a special thanks, all donors who give with Vitalant in November will be automatically entered to win one of five $5,000 prepaid gift cards.
Blood donations in November are especially critical for maintaining a sufficient blood supply for patients leading up to Thanksgiving week and into December, when busy holiday schedules sharply reduce the number of available donors. Emergencies and ongoing medical treatments that require blood don’t take a holiday break.
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed as patient needs come in all types. Type O is what doctors often reach for in emergencies and to treat infants. November is National Prematurity Awareness Month, serving as an important reminder that even the littlest patients rely on volunteer blood donations. Premature infants commonly need blood transfusions to fight anemia and other complications. Nationwide, more than 100,000 units of blood help neonatal patients each year.
Review recently updated eligibility requirements and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).