Vitalant is looking for blood donors to help transplant patients during National Donate Life Month.
"Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs blood," a Vitalant press release emphasized. "During National Donate Life Month in April, nonprofit Vitalant urges eligible donors to give blood and help support patients including those who undergo more than 40,000 organ transplants each year."
Yolo County has several upcoming blood drives listed below.
- 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 at the West Sacramento Bloodmobile located at 1110 West Capitol Ave.
- 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Thursday, April 25 at Ace Hardware located at 1350 E. Main St. in Woodland.
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 at the UC Davis Bloodmobile located at One Shields Ave.
Additionally, the Vitalant Davis Blood Donation Center – located at 1801 Hanover Drive STE A – is open every day of the week at varying times which can be found by visiting vitalant.org/donate/locations/blood-donation-davis.
"This spacious, clean and well-organized location serves blood donors in the city of Davis and surrounding areas," Vitalant's website stated. "There are bilingual (Spanish-speaking) staff who can help donors through the different types of donations collected here – whole blood, platelet, plasma and power red – in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere."
According to America's Blood Centers, 24% of the West region blood centers – 5 blood centers – had a one-day blood supply or less as of Friday.
Dwayne Wilson, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition as a teen and eventually required a heart transplant in 2021, said he remembers the night he got a call alerting him that a heart was available for him. The release noted that he needed six blood transfusions during the surgery.
"I am forever grateful to the donor family and donor," Wilson stressed. "As well as blood donors who help patients like me."
The release noted that a robust blood supply must be ready for patients every day, especially in times of emergencies, traumatic injuries or emergency organ transplant surgeries like Wilson's.
"Donors give what patients need," the release remarked. "Every donor is vital to replenishing and maintaining the supply, especially those with the most-transfused type O.
"As special thanks, all donors who give with Vitalant April 1 to 20 who opt-in to the Donor Rewards program will be entered into a drawing for 20 winners of $420 gift cards in the Blaze a Trail giveaway.
To learn more or make an appointment, visit vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call (877)258-4825.
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